A giraffe is a massive meal for a pride of lions, should they succeed in bringing it down. One giraffe means feasting for an entire week!
Watch the sighting:
However, in this sighting, the giraffe in question refused to be intimidated and continued to walk with its head held high, even with a lioness on its back and lions biting at its legs.
Said Francois: “On our early morning game drive, we found a pride of sleeping lions, as they usually do. My guests and I were watching them sleep, never expecting I was about to see the best sighting in my guiding career!”
Lions eye something in the distance
The lions didn’t stay sleeping. They soon stood to full attention to watch something in the distance. It was not immediately evident what they were looking at, however, their gaze was firmly fixed on something moving through the dense bushveld ahead of them.
The head of giraffe could soon be seen from above the treetops.
Giraffes are tall creatures and this one, while its body was hidden by the bushy terrain, was a ‘give away’ owing to its long neck and its head, which stuck out in full view.
It was moving quite peacefully, with long strides; with what seemed not a care in the world.
Giraffe comes into open to reveal unexpected attachments
When the giraffe finally moved into view, it was a striking moment as there, attached to its back, was an unexpected passenger.
A lioness was riding on its back, with its paws clinging to each side of the giraffe’s back. The giraffe let out sounds of distress but continued to walk, showing signs of a struggle, but keeping its head held high.
The lioness appeared to have its teeth sunk into the giraffe’s flesh, however, the giraffe maintained its steady gait.
As the giraffe continued to walk, even more surprises emerged. Clinging to its hind legs was an entourage of lions. The lions were holding onto the animal and also getting a free ride!
The giraffe showed signs of taking strain but continued to walk. The weight of the lionesses clinging to its legs could be seen by the way it moved its legs with great difficulty.
At one point, the lion looked towards the spectators. It almost seemed to be enjoying the ride. This peculiar sighting no doubt brought a smile to the spectator’s faces. Who were these lionesses who knew so little about bringing a giraffe down to the ground?
The giraffe continued to walk, still dragging lions with its legs, and still with the lioness on its back. Though it made sounds of distress, it still held its head up high.
Giraffe walks off free
The spectators might have thought the lions would eventually try a different tactic and step up their ambush of the majestic creature. However, giraffe eventually broke free and disappeared once again into the bushveld, out of sight but not out of mind.
Everyone was amazed at the spectacular sight they had just witnessed. Things could have so easily gone different for the giraffe in question, however, this giraffe showed an important lesson: When in a predicament, don’t panic. Just keep moving and just keep holding your head up high!
Said Francois: “The old bull giraffe, fighting to stay standing, managed to throw the lions off his back and fought his way out by trying to stomp on the lions. After about five hours the lions finally gave up and the old bull lived to see another day.”