Kosie and his entourage had been out for an early morning drive, on a road that follows the Sabi River, when the incredible moment happened.
They spotted two male lions, called the Avoca males, standing about 100m down the road. This specific pair controls the southern section of the Sabi Sands and cross the Sabi River into the Kruger from time to time.
Something held the lions’ attention. It appeared they were inspecting what looked like an aardvark burrow.
It soon became apparent they weren’t just inspecting the burrow – they were digging at its entrance. A burrow is the place where animals take refuge from predators such as these.
This breach of security was sure to have set off alarm bells in the burrow beneath, where the lions’ intended prey had taken refuge.
“We could see that something must have caught their interest inside the burrow – so we decided to watch and wait,” said Kosie.
Warthog cries out in distress
The heartfelt cry of a squealing warthog gave away the lions’ intent. This was a warthogs burrow they intended to infiltrate; and its occupant, a hiding warthog, clearly had nowhere to run.
Warthogs take refuge in burrows, entering them backward to position themselves for defense.
Perhaps this warthog, on seeing the lions, had quickly retreated back into its burrow. However, while many lions might’ve gone on their way; this pair decided to press on with their attack by digging.
The lions dug at the burrow with persistence. They were patient; working hard for their meal. The terrified warthog battled to hide its fear, using squeals of distress as danger pressed in.
Eventually the lions managed to pull the warthog out of the burrow. They lifted the warthog out with so much power that they even the roots of the bush the burrow was dug under came out.
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“The excitement felt like a crack of electricity in the air as we all gasped with the surprise of what just happened. This was the first time I have ever seen anything like this!” said Kosie.
With nowhere to hide, the warthog quickly succumbed to lions’ attack.
Lions have been captured on film, hunting warthogs in this manner before and it is not uncommon for lions to dig into burrows for a meal.
They have also been known to wait outside burrows to capture the warthogs as they leave the burrows in the morning. This is why in the mornings, warthogs will sprint out of their burrows at full speed, ensuring a quick escape from any predators that might be waiting nearby.
When digging deeper is worth the effort
Kosie explained that as a ranger, they tried to remind their clients and other safari lovers that it was important to stay patient at a sighting. “There were a few minutes that passed in between where the lions were resting and one could have thought that they lost interest,” he said.
“When the kill was over and the lions started feeding, the sighting ended for us. We made way for other vehicles that joined us so that they could view the lions. We left the scene knowing that we had experienced the best of the sighting and we were satisfied,” he said.