Lions make fewer zebra kills due to ‘chain reaction’ of invasive ants, study finds

Kenyan lions catching fewer zebras in ‘ecological chain reaction’ as big-headed ants fail to stop elephants stripping acacias – the cats’ ambush cover

When a lion decides to chase down a zebra it seems as though nothing can stop it. But now researchers have discovered these enormous predators are being thwarted by a tiny foe – ants.

Scientists have found the spread of big-headed ants in east Africa sets off a situation leading to lions making fewer zebra kills.