20-year-old ecology student Nicola Marneweck, filmed this incredible wildlife moment in the Kruger National Park.
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During a sundowner drive, Nicola’s group stumbled upon a zebra that had died mysteriously, with no visible wounds.
They figured something would come along to claim it, so they returned the next day to check it out.
Sure enough, they found a hyena feasting on the remains, even carrying around the zebra’s lower jaw like a set of false teeth.
While they watched, a large Nile Monitor lizard emerged from the river, heading straight for the carcass. It was probably the strong smell that attracted it.
Instead of being scared off by the hyena, the lizard tried to intimidate it by slapping its tail against the bones.
Every time the lizard approached, the hyena would drag the carcass away, clearly not in the mood to share.
Monitor lizards are common across southern Africa and usually munch on reptiles, insects, and fish. Occasionally, they’ll go for carrion, like this zebra. But to see it challenging a hyena is extremely rare!
Nicola was amazed by the lizard’s determination, especially when it smacked the hyena right in the face! Eventually, the hyena had enough and dragged the carcass away, leaving the lizard to scavenge for scraps.
This is amongst one of the wildest species interactions we’ve seen! Where the lizard found the courage to face the hyena head-on amazed us and everyone at the sighting.