A Crossing Nobody Wanted
Barry Smith was travelling along the H4-1 in Kruger National Park when he came across a scene that had him grinning behind the camera. Four lions stood at the edge of the Sabi River, clearly needing to get to the other side, and just as clearly wishing there was another way.
Lions may be the kings of the savanna, but they are not known for their love of swimming. Watching this group prepare to cross, it was easy to see why. Nobody in the pride looked keen to get their paws wet, and the hesitation was obvious from the very first step.
One By One Into the Water
The first lioness took the plunge, so to speak. She waded in slowly, and the moment the water met her legs she let out a long, grumbling growl of pure displeasure.
It sounded a lot like someone stepping into a cold shower and immediately regretting every decision that led to it.
The lion right behind her decided to test the water before committing. She dipped a paw in, and then pulled it back in disapproval.
The small splash that followed startled one of the others, who jumped back a little. dddIt was a small moment, but it said a lot about how strongly this group felt about getting wet.
One after another, the rest followed the leader in, each one growling at the water as they went. It was almost as though they were all lodging a formal complaint with the river.
The Fourth Lioness Has Second Thoughts
The last lioness was easily the most reluctant of them all. She put both front paws into the water, and then simply stopped.
She stared down at the river for a moment, as if trying to work out whether this was really worth it, and then backtracked a few steps. It was a very human moment.
Anyone who has stood at the edge of a cold pool, toes in, debating the whole thing, will know exactly what she was feeling. Still, with her family already on their way across, staying behind was not much of an option.
Go Go Go!
Once the water reached their bellies, something changed. The group seemed to decide, all at once, that the fastest way out was straight through.
They broke into a mix of running and swimming, churning up the river as they powered toward the far bank.
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Barry can be heard in the footage cheering them on with a chuckling “go go go,” clearly enjoying the absurdity. One by one, the lions scrambled out onto the other side, soaked through and looking thoroughly unimpressed with the whole experience.
Why Lions Avoid the Water
While lions can swim, and will do so when they have to, they generally avoid it. Rivers in Kruger can hold crocodiles and hippos, which are good reasons for any big cat to be cautious.
Lions also spend most of their time on dry, open ground, so wet fur and deep water simply are not part of their comfort zone. When a crossing is necessary, they tend to keep it short and get through it quickly, exactly as these four did.
A Lesson in Doing What Must Be Done
This sighting is a reminder that even the mightiest predators have things they would rather avoid. These four lions grumbled, hesitated, and complained the whole way, but they got the job done anyway.
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is step into the thing you dislike and push through it.
If you love hilarious moments like this, our WhatsApp Updates Group is the perfect next stop. It’s where we share the latest viral wildlife content and some of the best sightings happening in the park, so you never miss a good laugh like this one. Follow the link below to join!
https://chat.whatsapp.com/GpKPkiJLbiVLwsGQGxFbIU
