For male lions, their territory means everything. In this video, neither water nor anxious elephants deters this male from seeing off a pair of intruders.
Callum Robertson submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on a game drive in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
But cats don’t like water…
As Callum’s video begins, we see an unusual sight. While two elephant bulls look on, a male lion runs through the shallow waters of the Sand River.
For the most part, and like many cat species, lions don’t readily enter water. Of course, there are times when it can’t be avoided.
Wait for me, bro
As the lion reaches the far bank, we see that a second lion has made its way past the safari vehicle on the right. As it turns out, the two lions are part of the 6-member Nkuhlu coalition.
Together, these lions control an area that straddles the Kruger National Park and the southeastern Sabi Sands. However, in this case, they have strayed out of their domain.
The male soon picks up his brother’s scent on the far bank and follows him into the dense thickets.
Incensed incumbent
Subsequently, another lion approaches the river, confirming this and further alarming the elephants nearby. Ignoring them entirely, the new arrival follows the other lions across the river.
However, unlike the first two males, this male belongs to a different coalition, known as the Gijima males. Comprising two brothers, these ferocious siblings are constantly having to defend their territory from other larger coalitions.
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Avoiding violence
Consequently, under the watchful eye of the alarmed elephant, the male lets out a resounding roar as he enters the shallows. While fights do occur, lions often resolve territorial disputes by non-violent means.
Roaring is one such method. While one lion’s roar may sound much like another, for lions, they pass hidden messages. In this case, the message is clear: Leave and never come back!
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On the alert
Although not involved in the lions’ dispute, the elephants are somewhat alarmed. Raising their heads and flaring their ears, their body language is meant to show potential threats that they are on alert.
However, the Gijima male is too preoccupied with his own problems to pay them much notice. Repeatedly, he roars his warning as he crosses the river.
Even so, the bulls continue to issue warnings of their own. As the lion nears the far bank, one of the bulls shakes his head, as if warning the lion to stay well away.
But the male ignores this too as he reaches the other side of the river. As the video nears its end, we’re left wondering at the outcome. After all, one lion is chasing two. This might not be such a great idea after all.