Being a predator is very difficult. The “one in twenty” success rate is almost a universal rule of thumb to describe predator hunting efficiency. Prey defines the terms of engagement. Predator has to play catch up and therefore has to be stronger, faster more agile and perhaps more clever in planning a successful attack. We know this relationship from studies that have exquisitely measured predator-prey related physical parameters in Cheetahs and Lions hunting Impalas and Zebras.
Connections between apex predators and biodiversity are becoming more clear as observations accumulate from every ecosystem. This is aptly known as “the ecology of fear”. One well studied example comes the wolves. Since 2008, wolves have been returning to Washington and have reestablished populations in the U.S. northern Rockies. The impact of wolves on deer populations and vegetation in Yellowstone National Park is striking.
Here using cameras initially designed for military use, BBC Wildlife service captures a stunning hunting sequence without altering the behavior of both prey and the predator. The deliberate slowing down of the footage adds an awe inspiring quality.
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