Eventually, however, that zebra may be attacked by a hungry cheetah. The cheetah kills the zebra, and eats what it can of the dead animal. What remains of the carcass may then feed jackals or vultures, eaters of dead flesh, or carrion . The bones of the zebra are then broken down by bacteria, and in turn replenish the soil, allowing new plants to grow. These patterns repeat themselves all across Etosha.
Birds eat plants and are in turn consumed by African wildcats.
Springbok and zebras dine on plants, and are then fed upon by lions and cheetahs. Only the largest plant eating consumers, such as giraffes and elephants, avoid becoming prey for predators, though young animals of both species are sometimes victims of large cats. However, when adult elephants and giraffes die, they become food for carrion eaters.