Well, not quite, but the scene was rather odd: rather than retaining a safe distance, the herd of gnu were actually following the male lion in the picture. Every now and then the lion would stop and turn, at which point the gnu would also stop and stare at him. As soon as the lion resumed walking, the gnu would follow it, kicking in the air, displaying their courage.

Most likely the gnu sensed that the eternal foe had no intention of hunting: in fact the lion was accompanied by a lioness with which he would mate the next day. Small wonder then that the gnus felt it safe to get back at him...