This may seem cruel but it is not

Lions may appear to "play" with their prey, particularly small, non-threatening animals, for several practical and instinctual reasons related to survival and learning, rather than out of cruelty or amusement.When dealing with very easy prey like a young zebra or wildebeest calf, there is no real chance of escape, so the predator is not in a hurry. This behaviour stems from a survival mechanism and instinctual actions, not an intention to be cruel. Lions and other felines are opportunistic hunters driven by instinct rather than human emotions.