On a family trip to Kruger National Park, Dean Grant, a 25-year-old Finance and Operations Manager in the construction industry, witnessed a rare and intense predator-prey encounter: a pride of lions attacking a hippo. Although he’d grown up visiting game parks, Dean shared, “We had never seen anything like this. Rangers told us they would have never expected lions to attack a hippo.”
The incredible sighting unfolded early in the morning, just after Dean’s family entered the park from Mjejane. They drove west along the river, scanning the landscape, hoping to catch sight of some big cats. What they discovered exceeded all expectations—a pride of eight female lions, accompanied by younger cubs, in full attack mode, targeting a lone hippo.
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“Our initial excitement turned to sorrow as we watched the poor old hippo struggle against the pride,” Dean described. “But I also felt respect for the lions’ relentless determination to feed their pride. This was nature’s cycle in action.”
The hippo, though visibly distressed, attempted to make its way toward the river, sparking a sense of suspense. “Could the hippo manage an escape?” Dean wondered. But as the scene played out, the hippo moved into a ditch out of sight, and the lions took turns attacking, pacing themselves as some rested in the shade.
By the time Dean’s family returned later that afternoon, they found the lions well-fed and napping after their hard-won meal. “We felt privileged to have witnessed such a rare and powerful moment,” Dean added.
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Dean’s story is a reminder of the raw beauty and unpredictability of the wild, a perfect reason to explore the Kruger and other national parks. Have your own incredible wildlife footage? Share it with Latest Sightings and earn by becoming a contributor. Submit your wildlife videos here!