6/10/2009

Incredible moment: hyena attacks a flock of flamingos

BEIJING, June 9 -- Standing on the edge of a Kenyan lake, the hundreds of pink flamingos are enjoying a relaxing rest and a leisurely feast.

And then the atmosphere changes: the birds stiffen and then begin running across the shallow waters in a desperate bid to get airborne.

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The chase is on, The hyena has found his victim, and the poor
flamingo has no choice but to attempt a flight.


Then the reason for their distress becomes obvious, as a hungry hyena bounds onto the scene and gives chase to the fleeing pink birds.

The fearsome predator shows a surprising turn of speed, plucking one unlucky bird straight from the air as it desperately tries to take flight.

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The hyena shows plucks one unlucky bird straight from the air as it desperately tries to take flight.

The dainty birds are fine at flying, but they need a run-up to get out of reach of the killer's claws.

The moment was captured by British photographer Anup Shah, who used a camera camouflaged as a boulder to get the bird's-eye view of the attack.

He said: "This is the first time anyone has tried this technique with a flamingo flock of having the camera right inside the flock.

"It was essential we did not disturb the bird's routine so that they acted entirely naturally for the shots."

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Hundreds of pink flamingos run across the shallow waters in a desperate bid to get airborne
(Source: CCTV.com)

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