Kayla Thomas sent this scary video to Latest Sightings. She filmed it near to Sunset Dam in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Viewer Note: This video contains intense predator-prey interaction and may be distressing to sensitive viewers
Down by the river
As Kayla’s video rolls, we see a lovely sight. A pride of lions, including 4 lionesses and 7 cubs, are walking on the banks of the Sabie River.
As they continue, the cubs romp playfully, dipping their paws in the shallow water.
Out of nowhere
A short while later, the unthinkable happens. As the cubs scamper along, it at first looks as if the lead cub stands on an unseen rock. Then, to our horror, a sinister presence lifts the cub out of the water.
It turns out that the croc had been lurking beneath the surface, directly in the cub’s path. In the image above, we see the first cub being tossed over the crocodile’s head.
Into croc’s jaws
However, the second cub, having no chance to react, appeared to run straight into the crocodile’s waiting jaws.
It all happened so quickly that, despite being just metres away, the nearest lioness could do nothing to help. Indeed, even in slow motion, it’s hard to tell whether the crocodile caught a cub.
Mom power
Then, as the croc thrashed in the water revealing its scaled back, the lioness jumped into action.
Paying no heed to her safety, she ran into the water to help the cubs. In the image above, we can just see the first cub’s head over the back of the crocodile.
The lioness plunges into the water, intent on attacking the crocodile. As she does, two more lionesses prepare to join the fight.
Three vs one
One of the lionesses, possibly the cubs’ mother, attacks with particular ferocity. As she moves, one of the imperilled cubs emerges to the right of the chaos.
Terrified, the little one makes for the shore, while its helpless sibling looks on.
Meanwhile, behind it, the water continues to boil as the lionesses attempt to wreak havoc on the crocodile.
However, at home in the water, the croc somehow manages to elude the lionesses and moves into deeper water.
Survivor emerges
Then, to our relief, we see one of the besieged cubs, emerge soaking wet from the river. Plaintively, it calls for its pride.
Eager for comfort, the cub finds its way back to the lionesses, seeking shelter and protection at their feet.
The lionesses, however, are preoccupied with the croc… and the uncertain fate of the other cub.
Is that the cub?
As they watch the swirling water, we something brown just below the surface. But whether this is the missing cub or disturbed sediment is uncertain. Notably, though, no blood is visible.
In the confusion and with the narrow camera angles, it is difficult to keep track of the movement of each of the cubs. Yet, by their comments, it seems Kayla and her companion believe the cub was taken.
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Second survivor
Then, as the camera pans downstream, it settles on another bedraggled cub. It, too, is making its way back towards the adults. We can only assume that it got swept downstream in the mayhem of the initial attack.
As it returns, we see the crocodile on the surface again, with no sign of a cub in its jaws. Even the lionesses are unsure and keep a wary eye on the croc as the bawling cub rejoins its siblings.
Fate unknown
As the video draws to a close, it is an open question as to whether any of the cubs were taken.
Even Kayla and her companion are unsure at this point. When Kayla asks whether the last cub is out, her companion answers that it is. We’re sure you’ll join us in hoping that all the cubs survived.