Amputated lion invents ways to hunt!

A one-eyed, three-legged lion is dominating the savannah. Jacob, an 11-year-old male lion in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park, has survived injuries that would typically be a death sentence for an apex predator. After losing a hind leg to a poacher’s snare and an eye to a Cape buffalo, Jacob was left unable to perform the high-speed, 50-mph chases essential for tackling large prey. While most 'tripod' lions depend entirely on the support of a pride to avoid starvation, Jacob has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for individual adaptation, proving that behavioral flexibility can overcome physical loss. Using thermal drone technology, researchers with the Kyambura Lion Monitoring Project observed Jacob adopting a leopard-like hunting style, utilizing dense brush for close-range ambushes and even digging animals out of burrows. This shift from power to precision allows him to thrive independently or alongside his brother, Tibu. Beyond hunting, Jacob continues to patrol his territory and swim across the mile-wide Kazinga Channel, braving crocodiles and strong currents. His resilience offers wildlife experts vital insights into how big cats may adapt to habitat loss and poaching pressures across East Africa.