After spotting a disturbance in the river, this lion hesitated before taking the plunge. What followed was a near-miss for two of Africa’s apex predators.
Allan Smith submitted this dramatic video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while visiting South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Typical cats
Joining Allan & his companion at the sighting, we see a male lion standing at the edge of a river. The next thing we notice is that the lion is snarling at an ominous shape in the river.
While lions can swim when necessary, it must be said that they are typical cats when it comes to water; they’ll avoid it where possible.
Good to go?
Subsequently, the shape in the water suddenly disappears, leaving the lion with a quizzical look on his face. While many of us know what he’d seen, the lion obviously didn’t understand the implications.
Consequently, he decided now was as good a time as any to take the plunge.
Edging forward, he ventured into deeper water to begin the perilous crossing of the swift current.
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Ominous shape resurfaces
No sooner did the lion start swimming than the ominous shape reappeared. If you haven’t realised already, a Nile crocodile had been watching and waiting for just such a moment.
Bearing in mind that only its head is visible, it’s safe to say that this was a fairly large crocodile. And, as the apex predator of Africa’s waterways, even a lion was considered fair game.
After taking a moment to get its bearings, the croc spotted its target. Then, with a powerful flick of its muscular tail, it set off in pursuit.
You’re in my backyard now
Although the lion was swimming as strongly as it could, it was no match for the crocodile’s speed through the water.
Meanwhile, the lion sensed the approaching crocodile. Snarling once more, he redoubled his efforts.
However, he was literally out of his depth. With a few powerful swipes of its tail, the croc homed in on its next meal.
All the while, we hear Allan’s companion getting increasingly anxious. After all, who would’ve thought they’d see a predator about to become prey?
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Overwhelmed
However, there was nothing anyone, the lion included, could do to avert what looked certain to be its demise.
As the croc got within a few feet of the cat, it opened its jaws…
Then, with a mighty lunge, it overwhelmed the lion, pushing it beneath the surface.
Seconds later, all that was left to see was a swirling mass.
Nine lives
We can only guess what happened over the next few seconds, but moments later, the lion burst through the surface, snarling viciously.
Presumably, the croc failed to bite the cat. Generally, when they do, they don’t let go.
Subsequently, the croc resurfaced too, snapping its jaws in an effort to secure its prize. Thankfully for the lion, it lunged the wrong way, giving the cat a chance to escape.
Suffice it to say, the lucky lion didn’t need to be asked twice. The moment it touched the riverbed, it fled for the shore.
Amazingly, it narrowly missed running into a second big croc as it did. If the myth is true, this lion has only seven lives remaining.
