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While many impressive safari sightings revolve around powerful predators hunting panicked prey, there are some moments which can be just as impactful without the spectacle.
Ebenezer Rhode, a field guide, caught one such moment at Kapama Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger area. On that afternoon, Ebenezer said that his group was “actually awaiting a pride of lions at this water hole.”
Not Quite Lions
Although a drinking giraffe might not compare to a pride of lions for many, this group were witnesses to a poignant sight. Due to their height, giraffe’s look incredibly ungainly when they lower their heads to the water to drink.
This one had to splay its legs in order to lower its torso enough to be able to lower its powerful neck and bring its head to the water, just like every other giraffe.
What happened next was a sign of the resilience of nature, as well as some of the sad scenes that it can show us.
Strength Or Sadness?
As the giraffe tried to take a drink, a hole it had in its cheek meant that the water it tried to swallow spilled out instead.
The giraffe looks, understandably, rather dejected, but it doesn’t let this hole stop it, and keeps trying. The fact that it was alone might also seem sad to some, but according to Ebenezer, there was nothing unusual about that.
Female giraffe’s tend to live in groups, while the males, like this one, live more solitary lifestyles. Male giraffe’s only cross paths with the females when it’s time to mate, and despite the risks that seem inherent to this way of life, giraffe’s are remarkably hardy creatures.
Resilient Giraffes
As this individual has shown us, giraffes don’t give up easily. Despite having this hole in its cheek, this fellow isn’t giving up and is still living his life as best as he can.
The watering hole is where giraffes are at their most vulnerable. The awkward position they have to adopt to drink means they can be slow to react to danger.
Lions are the biggest threat to giraffes, but the latter have been known to fight back successfully, and even kill predators with their powerful kicks. That fighting spirit is clearly serving this male well, as it continues to drink, despite its injury.
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Possible Causes
Ebenezer Rhode said that the sighting impacted his group greatly, and that they “couldn’t believe than an animal that must be in so much pain, still has the power and resilience to fight and survive”.
While the rest of the group applauded the giraffe, Ebenezer believed he recognized the unfortunate animal. Normally, how such an individual got an injury like this would be a mystery in nature.
Ebenezer, however, believed it was due to an abscess, and had this to say: “I believe I saw this animal not far from the lodge I work at. I remember one day I saw pus dropping from it, indicating that it burst”.
Whatever the cause, this giraffe is a symbol of perseverance despite difficulty, and that alone made it an amazing sighting.