After lions killed a buffalo, a crocodile moved in to claim it for itself. However, using teamwork, the lions managed to get their share too.
Rosa Swart submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. She filmed it along the Shingwedzi River in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Meal interrupted
As Rosa told Latest Sightings, “The lionesses were clearly enjoying the rewards of a successful hunt. However, their feast was unexpectedly interrupted by a massive crocodile!”
Rosa said that the croc initially chased the lions away. However, the lions were not ready to abandon their prize, and one approached carefully.
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Cautious approach
Ensuring that the carcass separated them, the lioness began feeding.
However, the crocodile was not happy with her presence, and lunged at her.
Consequently, the lioness backed off as her hunger pangs grew.
Taking action
Subsequently, it looked like all the lions could do was watch while the croc continued eating.
But when one of them gave up, the other rose to try to reclaim the kill.
Carefully, she stalked up behind the crocodile. But just as she was about to bite it, the massive reptile lunged towards her.
At this point, it looked like the croc was in control. Not wanting to risk injury, it seemed the lioness might have to give up if she didn’t get some assistance.
Help arrives
Having seen her comrade try and fail to dislodge the croc, the other lioness returned. It’s at this point that the dynamics of the interaction took a sharp turn in favour of the lions.
As cooperative hunters, lions are skilled at using tag team tactics to subdue prey. But would it work against the crocodile?
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Tag team tactics
Subsequently, while one lion drew the croc’s attention, the other approached it from behind.
However, when she bit the croc’s hind leg, it unsurprisingly lunged at her. But the nimble lioness was too quick and easily evaded the croc’s snapping jaws.
But, in doing so, the croc exposed itself to attack from the other lioness.
And, when it turned to face that lioness, the other moved in once again. By this point, it was obvious that the lion’s strategy was beginning to get the better of the crocodile.
Outplayed
At this, the croc moved away from the carcass slightly. Outnumbered and outmanoeuvred, it had little choice but to tolerate the presence of the lions.
With that, a fragile truce began. Rosa said that by the time she left the sighting, the lions and the crocodile were eating the carcass from opposite ends.
Thankfully, when two cubs appeared, they instinctively knew to stay well clear of the croc.
As Rosa said, “Such encounters not only leave a lasting impact on individuals lucky enough to witness them but also emphasize the importance of conserving and protecting these precious habitats.”