Competition between predators for wildebeest is further limited by preference relating to age, sex and condition of the prey, and the hunting method of predators.
Lions and hyenas are more likely to prey on adult wildebeest, while [P 007 / leopards] and cheetahs prey almost exclusively on young calves. Wild dogs prey on the young but [P 005 / packs take down adults] as well.
Adult male wildebeest are preyed on by lions and [I 006 / hyenas] nearly twice as often as females even though the ratio in the wildebeest population is thought to be 1:1. Males may be more vulnerable because they are alone more often and tend to be less attentive particularly during [G 42 / rut].
Because of its strength, method of stalking and teamwork, [P 006 / lions] are the only predators to successfully hunt healthy adults on a regular basis. In contrast, hyenas and wild dogs chase their prey. Because healthy wildebeest can run [I 013 / up to 50 miles per hour] and hyenas and wild dogs 40 and 30 miles per hour respectively, they are more likely to prey on the young, sick or old. Although both hunt in groups and kill healthy adults, they do not with regularity.
