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A Cozy Catnap Interrupted
This hilarious sighting was captured on one of the Africam trail cameras at Naledi Game Lodge in the Balule Game Reserve. Trail cameras offer a modern way for people across the globe to experience African wildlife remotely.
They typically capture footage of birds and grazing animals, though predators occasionally make rare appearances. In this case, the video submitted by Aidan Rademeyer, opens with a lioness lounging beside a stone well and enjoying an afternoon siesta.
She looked completely at peace until an elephant casually strolled into the frame. As soon as the lioness spotted it, however, her body language changed completely.
She quickly got up, but it was too late to flee. Instead, she decided to play it cool and hide behind the well like a child playing hide-and-seek.
The Surprise Splash Attack
The elephant approached the waterhole but didn’t trust the lioness at all. It repeatedly hovered its trunk over the water and darted its eyes toward the suspicious feline slinking around the base of the well.
The lioness would peek around the corner while the elephant continued to look increasingly annoyed by her lingering presence. Clearly, this wasn’t part of its plan.
After a few hesitant sips, the elephant seemed to decide enough was enough. With a sudden swing of its trunk, it blasted a stream of water straight at the lioness!
As the lioness bolted away, startled and drenched, she seemed to realize that this wasn’t a warning, but rather a statement. Even though she got the message, the drama didn’t stop with the spray…
Gentle Giants and Troublemakers
The elephant followed up the surprise soak with a loud trumpet and an aggressive charge, chasing the lioness away in a flurry of stomps and sound. As the lioness bolted, her dignity trailed behind her like a soggy tail.
It was a clear reminder that while lions may be fierce hunters, elephants have zero tolerance for uninvited company, especially around their favourite drinking spots. Though elephants are known for their intelligence and emotional depth, they don’t shy away from flexing their muscle when annoyed.
With immense intelligence and emotional depth also comes equally enormous personalities. Having some of the largest brains in the animal kingdom makes elephants capable of problem-solving, empathy, and apparently, comedic timing.
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Whether it’s mischievously blocking roads, mock-charging safari vehicles, or, in this case, playfully soaking a lioness, elephants often showcase their cheeky side. This particular elephant clearly had no patience for sharing its water with a big cat and wasn’t afraid to make a splash about it.
A Not-So-Subtle Eviction Notice
Drinking spots are high-stakes locations in the wild, especially during dry spells, and elephants tend to get priority simply because of their sheer size. Their ability to vocalize, charge, and even spray water adds to their impressive, and at times, hilarious repertoire of “back off” tactics.
It’s not every day you see the mighty lion running away in the wild. This unexpected encounter was a reminder that while lions may rule the savannah, elephants rule the waterholes.
With a spray and a trumpet, the elephant sent a clear message: no loitering allowed. It’s these quirky, unscripted moments that make safari sightings so entertaining, and prove that sometimes, the biggest personalities come with the biggest trunks.