Share this incredible sighting with your friends:If you think you’ve seen it all in the wild, think again. In a jaw-dropping sighting at the Entabeni Game Reserve in the Waterberg, a pride of lions seized a rare opportunity to attack a crocodile basking on land. This incredible encounter was witnessed by 15-year-old student Connor Dawes…
If you think you’ve seen it all in the wild, think again. In a jaw-dropping sighting at the Entabeni Game Reserve in the Waterberg, a pride of lions seized a rare opportunity to attack a crocodile basking on land. This incredible encounter was witnessed by 15-year-old student Connor Dawes and his family, leaving even seasoned rangers astonished.
During the colder winter months, cold-blooded reptiles like crocodiles become sluggish due to the drop in temperature. This slows their reaction times, making them vulnerable. “We watched a male lion walk down the dirt road along a dam,” Connor recalls. “He met up with a few youngsters, and they all continued walking. They came to where the crocodile was basking in the sun. Suddenly, the male lion attacked the crocodile.”
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On paper, a crocodile seems like an unbeatable opponent. A fully grown crocodile can reach up to 7 meters (22.9 feet) in length and weigh up to 1 ton (2,204 pounds). In contrast, a fully grown lion weighs up to 270 kilograms (595 pounds). However, lions are strategic hunters and, when working as a pride, can take down formidable prey.
“I was shocked that a lion would even think of taking on a crocodile,” Connor admits. “The lion grabbed its back leg and pulled it away from the water. The rest of the pride joined in, provoking and attacking the crocodile.” Despite being outnumbered, the crocodile wasn’t going down without a fight. It thrashed and snapped, trying to fend off the lions.
A Narrow Escape
Eventually, the crocodile managed to break free and retreated to the safety of the water. “I was relieved that we wouldn’t see the lion kill the crocodile,” says Connor. “The crocodile swam away, and the lions moved off and lay down as if nothing had happened.” Remarkably, the crocodile was spotted the next day swimming in the dam, unharmed.