Cannibalism in nature is nothing new nor is it uncommon in our human history. Cannibalism is just one of those topics people choose to shy away from discussing as it is so emotive!
Having spent over 13 years working as a field/Safari and Tour guide in South Africa you can imagine I have had plenty of opportunity to learn and see for myself Cannibalism in the wild.
I recall conducting an open vehicle Safari where we stumbled across a Hyena which had discovered a carcass. This carcass happened to be of its own kind(another Hyena) and this Hyena decided to feed on the remains.
In the real world of wild animals fending for themselves, food is food and hunger is a constant problem. It is the Carnivores that would turn to eating their own if there was nothing else around. They are all opportunistic no mater what the books tell you! Even the mighty Lion will scavenge from others and if desperate would even eat one of its own.
Although these are rare things to see, it does not mean they do not happen.
