Latest Sightings
Lions Attack & Bring Down Buffalo | Absolutely Crazy Ending!
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Tinged by Nadav Ossendryver from Kruger National Park
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Brian Abrahamson (instagram.com/afriwild_brian) had the privilege of witnessing this action unfold. Brian shared his footage and story with LatestSightings.com.
“We were up at the crack of dawn and headed for the camp gates at Berg en Dal. Being first at the gate is always an exciting feeling; the anticipation of what one may find is the best part! We decided to turn right onto the dirt road just outside of camp and headed in the direction of the Matjulu waterhole.”
“As we approached the waterhole, something caught our attention—it was the constant calling of hyenas! The calls were echoing off the mountains that surround the waterhole. We knew that this definitely meant something was going on. As we arrived at the waterhole, we found what all the fuss had been about.”
“Seven hyenas were frantically calling and trying to alert the rest of their clan to the six lions about to make a buffalo kill. The lions had, at this point, already crippled the big bull. Their tactic was simple; they had weakened the buffalo’s back and leg, dropping him to his knees.”
Old buffalo bulls, also known as Dagga boys, can often be found all by themselves. This puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to predators, as there is more protection in numbers. This is a sad lifestyle they’re forced into when they can no longer keep up with the herd. They always like to have a good supply of water, and they’re frequent visitors to the Matjulu Waterhole.
“Despite having six lions on his back and crippled hind legs, the old buffalo bull did not for a moment give up. He fought for close to 2 hours with everything he had to escape. As time passed, he got weaker, and his last hope of salvation was trying to get into the waterhole, which may force the lions to back off due to their dislike of getting wet.”
“He dug deep, and with his fleeting bits of energy, he was able to move a few meters closer. With his nose now inches from the water's edge, he could do not much more aside from prolonging the inevitable. He plucked up the courage and entered the water! The lions let go, and for a moment he thought he was free.”
“As for the lions, they had exerted all this energy, and they were not going to let it all go to waste because of a little water. So, they clawed at the backend of the buffalo from the dry land until the big male took charge and went into the water. He took a hold of the buffalo by its throat and suffocated it, dealing the final blow.”
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A lioness surprisingly got up during the heat of the day to stretch her legs. After making her way to the road, she let out a few calls and 6 of the cutest lion cubs came running to meet her. When she started walking off, they raced to keep up! 😍
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Nadav Ossendryver, the CEO and founder of Latest Sightings, witnessed this incredible scene in Kruger.
After a slow morning drive, Nadav decided to head back to Skukuza for lunch. He was with some family friends who had never been to the park before. At around 1 PM, Nadav started to get a hunch. "I normally head back to camp in the late morning, until about 2 PM, but on this day, something told me I needed to be out there."
Nadav knows that it’s usually slow-going at this time, but he decided to follow his gut feeling and the group headed out. They made their way to the S114. "This is one of my favorite roads in the park, plus we saw a ting on the Latest Sightings App about a lioness who was seen in the area that morning with cubs."
After using the app to track the lioness's last known location, it was disappointing for them to see no signs of lions, or anything else. They continued driving for about 2 km, slowly scanning each bush, and lo and behold, Nadav spotted a lion's head.
"I just managed to see her head in the far distance; we all got super excited. The visibility at this point was about 2/5, but that didn’t last long... Within 5 minutes of spotting her, the lioness got up and headed right toward us!"
As the lioness made her way to the road, she started calling. "I knew that she was last seen with cubs, so when I heard the calls, I had no doubt, these were contact calls." Lionesses use a low-pitched humming or moaning sound, often described as a 'contact call,' to let their little ones know it’s time to move.
The anticipation was killing them; they knew what the calls were for, but they couldn’t see anything yet. Then, amazingly, six of the cutest little lion cubs came marching out of the bush one by one towards their mother, who was out on the open road.
"We couldn’t believe what we were seeing! It was so exciting and unexpected; you never really see this during the heat of the day."
They all started walking up and down and zigzagging across the road. "I’m not sure what they were doing, but to us, it almost seemed as if she was showing her cubs off."
"The lions eventually stopped to relax right next to the road, where lots of other people got to see them too. This lasted for well over an hour, and we stayed with them until eventually they moved off, out into the bush."
"This was so unexpected and there was genuinely something special about this sighting, making it one of the best that I’ve ever had."
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Johan Van Zyl from Wild Eye had front-row seats to this miracle of life. Johan shared his footage and story of this intimate sighting and moment with LatestSightings.com.
“While out on the drive, we spotted a female giraffe, and we could instantly tell that something was different about her. Her body language and movement were not normal. As we approached, we discovered that she was in the process of giving birth—something that is not often seen, let alone caught on camera.”
“We watched her for a while, giving her space and not adding any extra stress to her. This is important, as female giraffes are extremely vulnerable when giving birth. They are not able to defend themselves during this process. Thus, they are under a lot of stress, not for only their safety but also the safety of their newborn baby.”
“The process took around 45 minutes to an hour, and we were able to witness the entire birth. First, the newborn's legs emerged from the mother, and bit by bit, the rest of the body became visible. As it came to an end, we could see the relief on the mother's face, and with a loud thump out came this tiny newborn giraffe.”
Considering that giraffes give birth while standing, the calf drops to the ground from a height of about 6 feet! This may seem scary, but it helps the calf take its first breath and get its blood flowing. This is also another stressful period for the mother, as the afterbirth smell may alert any predators in the area, and the mother needs to be on full guard.
“We watched as the little one struggled to take to its feet, wobbling and falling over. This was incredibly cute and heartwarming for everyone to see. New life had been witnessed, and it was amazing to see how active the little calf was from the get-go.”
“The mother tried to nudge the baby and assist it in standing, and this continued for around an hour. After all of the failed attempts, the calf eventually stood on its own. Being born with long legs and a long neck is no easy task. But it managed to eventually stand, with some care from its mother.”
“At this point, we waited until it took its first steps, and that’s when we decided to leave and offer the mother and baby some well-deserved space. Being considerate and ethical about these moments is crucial, as added stress on either of the two could be negative. So, we went with warm hearts and smiles all around for being able to witness this incredible moment.”
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Tinged by Lingum Govender from Kruger National Park
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Tinged by Andre de Kock from Thornybush
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Pierre Nel, a wildlife lover, was out visiting a friend in Marloth Park when he witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime sighting. Pierre shared his footage and story with LatestSightings.com.
“We had just returned from dinner back to the house; it was extremely dark due to a power outage, and the sounds of nature and the bush were so tranquil. That’s until screeching and whining broke the peaceful atmosphere. My wife at the time said it sounded like a group of angry Indian Mynahs.”
"Out we went with our phone torches as lights to investigate what and where this sound was coming from. We all got a shock when we saw well over twenty very angry mongooses screaming and screeching as they were attacking a python.”
The gang was relentless, and they attacked from every angle; some were biting while others were scratching and clawing at the snake. The snake, on the other hand, did not even try to attack once. The snake knew that it was outnumbered and overpowered and that there was no chance it could attack all of them.
The mongooses were protecting their family, especially the little ones. They showed no mercy to the snake. Some mongooses boldly faced the snake's head and its dangerous fangs, attacking it, while others targeted its body, attacking continuously.
Banded Mongoose are often the target of many predators, and due to their small size, they find strength in numbers. They will gang up and attack exactly like they did to this python. Sometimes they will not stop the attack until the threat is dead, and other times they will do it until the threat leaves.
The python at this point realized that if it did not make a run for it, it was very likely that it would end up dying. So, the snake made for a small branch that had been lying on the floor. This gave it some cover and protected its head from the attacks and bites. But its body was still very exposed, and it needed to go even further into cover.
The mongoose at this point just held back a moment. And that was all that was needed for the snake to make its final getaway. A thick shrub was not too far off, and the snake quickly tried to get away. The mongoose, realizing the threat, were moving off, huddled together, and watched for a moment as the snake disappeared into the thicket. And then they ran off into the darkness. Silence and peace returned to the air, and it all ended like the flip of a light switch.
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Tinged by Giosuè Spinosa from Kruger National Park
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Michael Moth, a guide at MalaMala Game Reserve, was able to capture this cute sighting. Michael shared the footage and story with LatestSightings.com.
After discovering that one of the resident lionesses had given birth to a cute litter of cubs, everyone was excited to see them. The guides at MalaMala had given the mother and cubs some space in their first few days, just so that the mother was not under added stress. However, on this particular day, the mother lion decided that she was now ready to show her cubs.
As the group got into one of the dry riverbeds and scanned for a bit, the sound of a mother lion caught Michael's attention. They approached the calls and were greeted by the cutest little lion cubs playing with each other. At this point, their mother was already standing in a tree that was not very big.
She looked down on her cubs and let out these low-toned calls. Alerting her little ones that she was up above them. The cubs, with their small legs, frantically ran around the base of this tree, looking up at mom and letting out their own very cute contact calls. It sounded as though mom was trying to communicate with her cubs and tell them to come up.
The little ones, with their tiny legs and small size, thought that this was an impossible task. They found a much smaller branch of the tree that had fallen and thought that this was more their size. They climbed it with ease and looked over to Mom. But Mom did not want them to climb any small branches. She wanted to teach them the skill that not many lions have: climbing a tree.
Leopards are cats that are known for climbing trees, not lions. However, lions have been observed climbing trees on occasion. Sometimes to steal a kill of a leopard that was left in a low enough branch, and other times just for a bit of fun and games.
Mom kept calling her cubs, and one of them understood that mom meant bossiness. So off it went to the base of the tree its mother was in. The cub looked up, and to it, this was an enormous task, but it was determined. One paw at a time, it began climbing, digging its tiny claws into the bark to give it some traction. It inched slowly up until it was only a few inches from its mom.
You could see the great sense of achievement on the cub’s face when it took the last step. Its mother stood there, proud of herself. She first licked it and gave it a nod of approval, almost as if saying "Well done." Then she patted the cub's head and gave it a final lick. After seeing this, the cub's siblings also wanted to get some of Mom's love and affection.
The cub that managed to climb up now looked down and realized that it was really high up, and maybe it was best if it went back down. It began slowly making its way down, all while its siblings were trying to make their way up. However, none of its siblings were able to make it as high as it did. One of them reached halfway to Mom, while the other could barely make it past a few inches off the ground.
In the end, the mom came down proud of all her cubs. Each of them put in an excellent effort in learning this new skill. Some learnt it better than others but in the end everyone of these cubs learnt a valuable lesson that may one day help them in their lives of survival.
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This sighting was captured by Michaela Crous in Manyoni Private Game Reserve.
As the group arrived at a waterhole on the Mkuze Game Reserve they were greeted by action. A lioness on the hunt! She had spotted a nyala bull that had not seen her at the time and she looked hungry! As soon as she realized this was a potential meal the hunt was on!
The lioness immediately went into stalk mode. Making use of the thick cover that was surrounding the waterhole, she managed to get within a good distance of the Nyala. Off she went with a burst of speed! But the Nyala was not caught by surprise, as he had seen the lioness and darted off in time.
He ran for a bit, but he realized there was no way he would outrun the hungry lioness. So he went straight for the water, hoping to escape the hungry lioness. The lioness, knowing the potential risk of the big crocodiles that lurked in these waters did not dare to go in! The nyala aware of the dangers still was willing to risk it. The lioness also knew that the nyala could not stay in the water forever, so she sat and waited for the nyala to move.
The lioness sat patiently staring at the nyala with hungry eyes. The nyala, on the other hand, stood in the water, staring back at the lioness, hoping that she would go away. With all his focus on the lioness, the nyala was caught off guard when he suddenly felt something at his feet. A few crocodiles had been stealthy approaching him in the shallow water and he only realized when a slash erupted, and a crocodile snapped its jaws, trying to grab hold of the nyala.
Luckily for the nyala, his super-fast reflexes saved him, and he managed to kick and jump away from the crocodile. But he now had to run out of the water as quick as he could because if he didn't, the croc would get him. But the catch was that when he left the water, the lioness was there. Being stuck between a rock and a hard place the nyala had to make a decision and make it fast!
That’s when it clicked for the Nyala; he knew his last hope was to not run but rather to fight. So, out, he ran from the water straight at the lioness. Charging with his horns and actually scaring and catching the lioness off guard. She was so shocked that she ran back, not knowing what to do.
The Nyala then decided to take advantage of this and carried on running and charging the lioness. At this point, the lioness just gave up; she knew it was not worth it. Risking injury from those horns was just not worth it. So off she walked with defeat in her eyes. As for the Nyala, he stood tall and proud of what he had just overcome. He most certainly defied the odds!
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Giosuè Spinosa was out on safari when he witnessed this incredible moment. Giosuè shared his rare footage and story with LatestSightings.com.
When days on safari seem boring and not much is to be seen, it is always a good idea to visit the closest water source or river to look at what you can find. On this particular day, Giosuè headed to the Shingwedzi River in the northern sections of the Kruger National Park. After waiting and scanning the sand banks for any movement, something caught his eye—it was a snake!
Lifting his binoculars and taking a closer look revealed that this was one of Africa’s deadliest snakes. It was a black mamba. The snake was moving along a patch of dry river sand, making its way to the water's edge. The speed at which it was moving led him to think that the snake was not going just for a drink but perhaps was looking to cross the river.
The Shingwedzi River is a river that is filled with crocodiles and hippos. The hippos that were not too far off did not even notice the snake. However, the group of crocodiles that were basking in the morning sun picked up the Mambas movement almost immediately. One of them, who was closest to the snake, rushed off and tried to catch it.
The snake, however, was not only too fast but also too agile for the slow crocodile; it just moved out of the way with a quick turn, and the crocodile snapped its jaws, catching nothing but a gasp of air. The snake was now free to make a run for it! It quickly got into the water and began gliding on the surface with lightning speed, moving in different directions so that no crocodile that was lurking could even have a chance at catching it!
The rest of the crocodiles watched from the bank as the snake made its way successfully over the crocodile-infested river. But it was far from over; the snake unfortunately chose the wrong exit route from the river. It was hard to get out of the water in a really clay and muddy area. This slowed the snake down as it was struggling to move in the thick sludge that was at the water edge.
Seeing the snakes struggle and the opportunity for a meal, one of the crocs got into the water and swam across as fast as he could. As soon as he got onto dry land, he went straight for the snake, not fearing the highly toxic and deadly venom. He knew the snake fangs could do him no harm with his thick leather skin!
The croc grabbed the snake with one swift bite and swung it around, trying to kill it. This commotion drew the attention of a fish eagle that was perched on the banks of the river. When the eagle saw that it was a black mamba and a crocodile having it out, it made the wise decision and left without making an attempt to steal the crocs meal.
The crocodile, at this point, bit through the snake and killed it. The easy part was done; now came the hard part: eating the snake before the other crocs could steal it. The croc made a run for it, and with the snake hanging from his mouth, he rushed back to the safety of the water to swallow his hard-earned meal whole.
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Tyron Horne, head guide at AndBeyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, had front-row seats to this raw moment of nature with his guests. Tyron shared the intense and heartbreaking footage with LatestSightings.com.
“I had been out on a drive with my guest all morning when a call came in on the radio that the male lions that once ruled this area were back. This was exciting because they had been pushed out by 2 other male lions. Their return meant they were ready to reclaim what was originally theirs.”
The 2 males had come into the area because of a buffalo that had died, so for them it was a free meal. When they arrived, they ate their fill and began exploring what was once theirs. That’s when they crossed paths with the males that were now in charge. Being bigger and in their prime, the two brothers went into attack mode and chased the two resident males!
“When I arrived on the scene, there were only 3 male lions; the one male had already been chased off by the attackers. What greeted us was truly shocking and left not only me but all of my guests silent for a few minutes. It was gruesome, to say the least; the two attacking males were covered in blood, which gave them a fierce look. The other male was on his back with blood covering his entire back and legs.”
“The males were biting at the soft underbelly; they had this look in their eyes that you could see from months of anger being built up. Because they had been pushed out for so long, when they finally were able to take revenge, they were not holding back. The bigger of the brothers managed to bite down between the intruder's back legs and ripped so hard that his intestines came flying out!”
“Despite being covered in blood and his insides hanging out of him, he was still alive! Raising his head and trying to put up a fight, he snapped his jaws. However, it was not of any help; he was too far gone. He fell back down, and the brothers went back at it, growling and biting until they were certain that he would not move again.”
Male lions in the wild live for territory and mating rights. This means fights like this to the death are part of their lives and something that all males are prepared for, some more than others. We may find it extremely harsh and hard to witness, but moments like these give us insight into the hard lives that these animals live just to survive.
“Once he stopped moving, the brothers did the unthinkable; they began eating his dead body. This is not something that lions would commonly do, but they were clearly in a rage, and there was no stopping them. They dragged his lifeless body around and, for the next two days, stuck with it while continuously eating from it. It was as if they were sending a message to any other males that were thinking of coming into their territory.”
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Elephants, often perceived as disruptors, are in fact crucial architects of biodiversity within their ecosystems. The evolving landscapes we witness today are part of a natural continuum, with noticeable shifts in tree species distribution over time, reflecting the dynamic nature of these ecosystems.
The behavior of elephants, such as toppling trees to access fresh branches and leaves, plays a pivotal role in this ecological dynamic. While it may seem destructive, this activity is a natural ecological process that enhances habitat diversity and accessibility. When elephants bring down a tree, they not only reach the nutrients themselves but also enable other animals to access the bounty of fresh leaves and branches, thereby enriching the overall biodiversity.
This aspect of elephant behavior is a prime example of how they contribute to the ecological balance, creating opportunities for a multitude of species and thus boosting the area's biodiversity.
The impact of these majestic creatures is even more pronounced given the current constraints on their habitat. With significantly less space to roam than their ancestors, every action of an elephant has a heightened effect on their environment.
A compelling illustration of this dynamic is seen in a video captured in the MalaMala Game Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park, by David den Hartog. The footage showcases the astonishing ease with which an elephant can push down a large tree, a testament to the animal's immense strength and its role in the ecosystem. This visual evidence not only highlights the physical power of elephants but also underscores their integral role in shaping the landscape and facilitating ecological diversity.
The scene from the MalaMala Game Reserve is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of nature and the significant role that elephants play within it. Observing such a moment brings to light the extraordinary capacity of these animals to influence their environment and the myriad ways in which other species benefit from their actions.
In conclusion, elephants are not merely agents of change but are essential to the ecological health and diversity of their habitats. Their interactions with the environment, especially in today's context of reduced natural spaces, are critical for sustaining the complex web of life in the African landscape. The visual documentation of such interactions, as provided by observers like David den Hartog, offers invaluable insights into the profound influence of these gentle giants on the natural world.
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Tinged by Rudolph Strydom
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Jaco Joubert, a professional guide at @MalaMalaGameReserve captured this adorable sighting while on safari. He shared his footage and story with LatestSightings.com.
A telltale sign that a lioness has cubs is suckle marks on her underbelly. And this particular Kambula lioness had plenty of it. The rangers and guides at MalaMala all knew that she had cubs, and everyone was eager to see these tiny balls of fur!
On this particular morning, the guide found her all alone. She looked like she had a full belly and was walking with a lot of intent, but this time it wasn’t to hunt. She was focused on another mission even walking just meters from a herd of wildebeests, without looking their way.
As she continued, she let out low-frequency contact calls, and the group and guide knew that if they followed her, they were going to be in for a treat. She was heading from the open plains to a more thick, dense bush.
Scanning the direction, she was heading, it was extremely thick, and there was no movement to be seen. Mom picked up her pace, showing a look of nervousness on her face, perhaps due to the presence of another large game near where her babies were stashed. After waiting some time to see where Mom was heading, the group began to get nervous that maybe the cubs were very well hidden. And when mom eventually reaches them, it might be too thick to see them.
But just then, from the corner of the guide's eye, he saw movement! It was a tiny lion cub, with tufts of hair on his ears barely visible in the long grass. One, then two, then three, and they just kept coming until a total of six tiny cubs came running and calling in the cutest manner, trying to respond to their mom!
The cubs looked like they were trying to say, "Here, mom, we are over here.” They ran as fast as their short, tiny legs could take them. Mom found a comfortable place next to the road in the open and sat patiently for them. They were so excited at this point that they were jumping and hoping with a bounce in their step!
As soon as they reached their Mom, they tackled her and jumped on top of her! They wanted milk; they were like little kittens, purring and wagging their tails. Each of the little cubs fell perfectly into place as soon as Mom turned on her side, and they began suckling. Not bothered by the group's presence, mom and babies were having a moment of bonding and love.
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Travis Carreira, an IT Consultant, during a trip to Marloth Park which borders the Kruger National Park, captured this once-in-a-lifetime sighting. Travis shared his footage and story with LatestSightings.com.
“Maureen and Piet, a couple of my friends, spotted a leopard from within the fence of Marloth Park, on the other side of the Crocodile River. As the day progressed, the temperatures peaked at around 41 degrees Celsius. Maureen and Piet sat through it, watching the leopard attempt hunt after hunt, with no success. As soon as I finished my workday, I left straight to where they had seen the leopard last in hopes of spotting it too.”
“I was watching the beautiful sunset on the river when a gentleman came up to me and asked if I could see anything. I explained to him that there had been a leopard hanging around all day, but I couldn't see it. He then pointed and said, there! There's the leopard! We jumped up and ran closer to the fence to get a visual.”
“When running to the fence, I lost sight of it again but caught a glimpse of a hyena who moved into a gully. Then I noticed a small herd of impala, and they were moving in the direction of the hyena. I knew something was about to happen, so I started to film them. As Murphy’s law would have it, I readjusted to get more comfortable, and the next thing, the leopard jumped up and caught one of the impalas!”
“Shortly after that, the hyena tried to catch one of the other impalas but failed. A little disheartened, the hyena turned its attention to the leopard. Seeing that the leopard was successful, it thought that it would be easier to steal a meal rather than to try hunting again. The hyena moved in quickly and stole the impala right from the leopard’s mouth. The impala was still alive at this point, and the hyena began dragging it up the hill to a safe spot to eat it. The hyena had a firm grip on the impala, even though it was still kicking there was no way it could break free.”
"Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed more movement. Two massive crocodiles, likely attracted by the commotion, emerged from the river, complicating the situation. The larger crocodile went straight for the impala that was still kicking in the hyena’s jaws. Once the crocodile got a hold of the impala and crushed it with its powerful jaws that was the end of the impala’s life.”
“The leopard who made the initial kill was very hesitant of both the hyena and the crocodiles, so it made one or two half-hearted attempts at getting its food back but was not successful. All this commotion and noise attracted another hyena. This one was bigger and seemed to be more confident. It instantly went to the crocodiles and bit onto the impala, trying to steal it from them.”
“The 1st hyena now also confident with its buddy around, joined in the tug of war. The two hyenas tried using tactics to steal the meal again, but this time, they were left with just some scraps of meat, and the majority was taken by the crocodile.
There were a few other people at the sighting with me. At times, it felt like we were spectators in an arena. The excitement couldn't be contained as we witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime sighting.”
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Hendry Blom was one of the somewhat fortunate guests who were not on the truck. Hendry shared his experience and footage of the sighting with LatestSightings.com.
Hendry, along with others that were on safari in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, had stopped at the Rathlogo hide for a leg stretch, a bathroom break, and to also see what would be drinking at the waterhole that the hide looks over. However, the animal they saw was not at the waterhole but rather in the parking area.
While Hendry was using the bathroom, screams from outside alerted him to rush out. That’s when he saw a massive bull elephant charging his guide and friends. The elephant appeared huge as Hendry was on foot and hiding behind a few pieces of logs, which made up the “fence” of the parking area.
The biggest fear many of the onlookers had was that those who were in the vehicle were going to die. There was no way they could possibly survive an attack from such a huge animal! The guide was screaming, shouting, and even banging his hand on the side of his door to chase the elephant away.
The elephant, who was in musth, showed no signs of leaving and went straight for the vehicle, catching the front of the vehicle in his tusks. He lifted it off the ground and dropped it with a bang. Everyone watching panicked! Was everyone in the vehicle okay?
Screams from the anxious tourists in the vehicle could be heard, and the onlookers knew that they were okay. The bull elephant did not stop there; he came back for a second time and lifted the truck again. This time not as high, so as soon as the wheels hit the ground, the guide was able to create some space between himself and the elephant.
As the elephant walked off to the side of the hide, those standing in the open parking lot could breathe a sigh of relief. The elephant was not going to come for them. The guide circled back and told those that were watching this crazy scene unfold that they should be prepared in case the elephant returned, as he was very angry.
The entire group of tourists, with their hearts racing, stood quietly as they watched the elephant disappear into the thickets that surrounded the hide! What a relief that no one was injured, and neither was the elephant.
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Tinged by Eldine Arendse from Pilanesberg Game Reserve
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Eldine Arendse, a guest on the vehicle, shared her story and footage of this scary incident with LatestSightings.com.
Bongani Yende had chosen to take his guests to the Rathlogo Bird Hide in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The guests had gotten out of the vehicle and were walking around the parking area, which his allowed. That is when Bongani noticed a massive bull elephant making its way to the hide's parking area.
Understanding the behavior and visual telltale signs of elephants, Bongani saw that this bull was in musth. Elephant musth is a time when male elephants can get really aggressive and show increased interest in mating. Understanding that it could lead to a potentially dangerous situation, he managed to get four of his guests onto the vehicle while the other 15 were still in the hide and the parking area.
With very little time to make a decision, Bongani decided that to save his guests, he would need to get the elephant away from them. He revved the engine and drove directly at the elephant, hoping to scare it away from his guests. But this bull elephant was not interested in leaving and stood its ground.
The stand-off lasted for a few minutes. The guide would drive towards the elephant, and it would hold its ground. Then, after a while, instead of holding its ground, it would come closer and closer. Eventually getting to the entrance of the hide parking area.
The guide at this point began shouting and screaming, and the elephant tried anything to get it to move off. The elephant, on the other hand, took it as a challenge and took the vehicle head-on. He managed to lodge his tusks into the bulbar of the truck and, with complete ease, began lifting the truck.
The guests in the hide had a clear view of the truck as their guide, and four others were in the truck. The front tires of the trucks lifted off the ground, and the elephant kept lifting them higher. He lifted it to the height of his head, so much so that the guests in the truck could see the blue sky above!
Then he just dropped the truck, sending the guide bouncing around his seat. The four guests in the truck also went for a ride. But the guide remained composed and continued trying to get the elephant away. So, after he dropped the truck, the elephant had enough of the guide and the truck, so it eventually decided to move off.
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Tinged by Simeone Lategan from Matusadona National Park
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Simeone Lategan from @leopardslairbushlodge and @antonlategan from @ecotrainingcaptured this incredible footage of the lions while on safari in Matusadona National Park, Lake Kariba. She shared her footage with LatestSightings.com.
“We had booked a houseboat on Lake Kariba to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday. We were to spend an entire week on the boat, with the promise of sightings of wildlife from the comfort of our boat. Little did we know that the best of our sightings would take place on our very first morning.”
“Our first boat safari yielded buffaloes and elephants, and for us, that was already pretty amazing. But as we were heading back to the main boat, we noticed some movement and activity on Fothergill Island, which was about 500 meters away. It appeared to be lions from the distance, and as we got closer, it became clear! 22 lions hunting a massive herd of impala.”
“The lions were all split up and half surrounded the herd while the others sat in ambush close to the water's edge; this resulted in chaos. The herd began scattering and running in all directions. Some of the impala came within inches of being caught, while others managed to make a safe escape.”
“The lions waiting in ambush were so eager to catch an impala that they were trying to grab them in midair! Luckily for the impala, lions are not as agile as leopards, so catching their prey midair is not that easy. However, one unlucky impala chose the wrong escape path, and things ended very badly for him.”
“The lions seemed to, at this point, all lock into one impala, and their attention was focused. The impala thought that it could make a quick escape by running along the water's edge. It picked up speed and ran straight ahead, missing the first and second lions. But when it tried to dodge the third lion, it jumped, and so did the lion.”
“Before all four of its legs could leave the ground, it was down! And one by one, the lions came running in to have a piece of the meal. A small antelope for 22 lions doesn’t last very long, so they all knew they had to grab what they could while it was still there.”
“At this point, we just sat in awe of how lucky we were to have this sighting all to ourselves. Sitting on a boat a few meters from shore and watching 22 lions successfully hunt and eat an impala is not something everybody can say they have experienced.”
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Nic Nel, a professional guide at @MalaMalaGameReserve captured the intense battle on camera. Nic shared his story and footage of the sighting with LatestSightings.com.
“We spent the morning tracking a resident lion pride that calls this area home. We were lucky enough to find some of them quite early in the drive; three of the females, to be precise. They were all quite hungry and seemingly on the hunt. They stumbled upon a decent-sized bachelor herd of buffalo and the battle began!
“After carefully assessing the situation, the lions targeted one of the weaker bulls. They charged in at full speed and were able to single him out. The tactic was clear: they were not going for the kill because taking down a big buffalo bull is no easy ask for 3 lionesses. So they decided to rather wear him down before they made the final blow.”
“The buffalo bull was not going down without a fight. He stood strong and tried to swing his horns fast enough to catch one of the lionesses off guard. The lionesses, on the other hand, were too smart; one of them managed to get onto his back and began biting at his spine while the other two took to his legs and hoping to snap his tendons and cripple him.”
“The bull let out multiple distress calls, which caused his family to instantly respond. They rallied together, forming a line, and charging in at the lions. With powerful horns and brute strength, they pushed the lionesses away for a moment.”
“The fight went back and forth for hours. The buffaloes would keep running in trying to save their brother, and the lionesses would just move off for a moment and instantly come back. At one point, they even got the big buffalo on his back and tried eating him alive, but like true family, the other buffaloes refused to give up and rushed in again.”
"However, things took a turn, the buffalo herd paused, sensing a shift. The buffalo sank to the ground, letting out a final, sorrowful bellow before falling silent. The lionesses had succeeded; their constant biting had broken his back and severed the tendons in his legs. With no chance of recovery, he and the other buffaloes understood the outcome."
“The exhausted lions lay next to the immobile buffalo, who was amazingly still alive albeit not for long. As tired as lions were, they quickly called their little ones, and out of nowhere appeared seven cute cubs, all excited for a good meal. They immediately began biting and taking nibbles out of the buffalo's back, while their moms watched on and caught their breath.”
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Nhlanhla Nkuna, a guide in Balule Nature Reserve, had front-row seats to these sad sightings. He shared his footage and story with LatestSightings.com.
“We found a huge male lion that was relaxing in the shade of some shrubs when something caught his attention. A steenbok! He jumped up, but before realizing what was happening, the little buck had disappeared into the bushes.”
The question was: why was the steenbok running? Was something chasing it? The lion, now still at attention, looked in the direction of where the steenbok had come. That’s when he saw a pack of wild dogs running at full speed; they had been chasing the steenbok and were completely unaware of the danger next to right next to them, which was now well hidden in the bushes.
“As soon as the first dog came around the bush, the lion pounced. He caught the wild dog off guard and grabbed it by the throat. The wild dog let out a squeal and a whimper. He was caught, and there was no way he could do anything about it.”
“The other two members of the pack came rushing in as soon as they heard the screams. They realized that one of their members had been caught, and if they stood any chance of getting him back, they would need to intimidate the lion. There was no way they would win a physical battle, so the two dogs began barking and growling at the lion.”
“The huge male, who knew that the dogs could not harm him, just kept his grip firm on the wild dog’s throat. At that point, the wild dog gave his last kick, and a small whimper of its last breath came out, and his life came to an end. The other dogs, clearly defeated, just stood and watched on.”
Lions will take any opportunity to kill potential competition for food. Anything from leopards to hyenas, wild dogs, and even cheetahs is fair game. The less competition there is, the more prey the lions have for themselves. As sad as it is, it is the harsh reality of the wild that these animals call home.
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"While following a leopard on our safari, we observed its strategic movements, hinting at its hunt for prey. The leopard's patience paid off when a warthog emerged from a termite mound, and with remarkable skill, the leopard swiftly engaged it."
The struggle intensified when a hyena, attracted by the commotion, decided to challenge the leopard for the warthog. This led to a dramatic standoff between the two predators, each determined to claim the prize for themselves.
Despite the warthog's distress, the battle between the leopard and the hyena showcased the raw and unpredictable nature of the wild. The leopard, initially successful, found itself in a tug-of-war with the hyena, a testament to the survival challenges animals face in their natural habitats.
As the encounter unfolded, the hyena managed to secure the warthog, joined by another hyena, leaving the leopard to continue its quest for sustenance elsewhere. This event highlighted the fierce competition and survival instincts that define the animal kingdom.
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Sharon Klopper and Michelle Vagionakis witnessed this entire scene unfold from a bird hide in Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Their friend Jennie was also with them, and the three of them shared the story with LatestSightings.com.
“We had been to the scene just the day before this shocking attack happened, and already then noticed something strange. There was a mother hippo with a very young calf amidst the pod of hippos. For safety, Mother hippos usually keep their babies away from the main pod, especially when they’re that tiny.”
“We thought this was really interesting behavior, so, the next day we decided to investigate and returned to the hide at Ruighoek Dam. This time there were other visitors at the hide. They all looked concerned and told us that they weren’t sure what was happening, but it seemed like one of the hippos was acting aggressively towards the little one!”
“We quickly moved closer to see for ourselves, and out of nowhere, a male hippo grabbed the baby in his mouth. The big hippo then dunked it underwater, and flung it around, eventually throwing it onto another hippo's back! Despite the constant onslaught, the baby hippo kept trying to escape, returning to its mom's side every time. It was like it knew where it belonged. Its mother was trying its best to protect it, but this hippo was just too big, and nothing was stopping him.”
“That’s when the other hippos seemed to notice the commotion. They formed a half-moon shape around the scene, almost as if they were watching it all unfold. The mother hippo became completely panicked, and out of frustration and confusion, she started fighting with any hippo that came near her.”
“For what felt like hours, we watched in awe as the baby hippo struggled in the water, fighting for its life. Then, suddenly, everything calmed down. The baby managed to get out of the water, but it was badly injured. Its belly was open, and there were wounds all over its body. Walking seemed almost impossible, likely due to its injured back legs.”
“Despite the injuries, the baby hippo tried to walk away. The mom and another female hippo followed, smelling and inspecting the baby's wounds. The baby found a bush to rest by, and the other female left. The mom then stood over her baby, and something touching happened. She looked like she was crying, letting her saliva fall on the baby's wounds. She then gave a silent scream, a moment of pure emotion, before gently pushing the baby out of our view and walking away.”
“We don't know what happened to the baby hippo after that. We assume the mother knew that it was time to say goodbye as her little one was definitely not going to survive much longer. This encounter was deeply emotional and something we will never forget.”
I was able to capture some of this incredible story through my camera lens, while the others filmed it. This experience, shared with Sharon, Shelley, and Lenter, was a powerful reminder of nature's raw beauty and brutality. It's a story we will always carry with us.
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Benji Solms, a guide at Serondella Safari Lodge, saw this very interesting and nail-biting sighting. Benji shared the video and story with LatestSightings.com.
It all started off with two leopards that were feeding on an impala carcass they had just recently caught. The two cats were unfortunately forced to leave their meal when a mother lioness and her cubs arrived.
The leopards had taken the impala into a tree that they thought would be out of reach of any other predator. They were wrong, as the mother lioness and her cubs were able to easily jump up the base of the tree and get to the carcass that was resting in the fork of the tree.
As the saying goes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. In Africa, we say where there’s meat, there’s hyenas. A clan of hungry hyenas were the first to arrive on the scene after the lions had successfully stolen the leopard’s lunch. But, unlike big cats, hyenas struggle to climb anything and can't get anywhere near the kill. The hungry hyenas were left with nothing but the smell of the fresh meat and their hopes that the lion would accidentally drop it.
The mother lioness didn’t seem bothered at all by their presence, but the same cannot be said about her cubs. Their inexperience made them doubtful; their hearts were racing at the presence of so many hyenas! Surely, they thought it was only a matter of time until the hyenas got to them.
As the hyenas started to spread out, one of the cubs saw what he thought to be the perfect escape opportunity. He leapt down from the tree, thinking he could make a run for it. But as soon as his little paws hit the ground, the entire clan of hyenas surrounded him! Jaws snapping and ready, the hyenas meant business!
The cub was fear-stricken; it froze. The whooping sounds of the hyenas, accompanied by their very scary sight, made him shiver in his skin. He realized that he had made a life-threatening mistake! But just when he thought it was all over, his mother came to the rescue. She dropped the carcass between him and the hungry hyenas. Then she jumped down from the tree, landing right in front of the hyenas. She gave them a stare of death and stood firm!
It worked, and the hyenas instantly turned their attention from the helpless cub to the meat in front of them. They each grabbed onto the carcass and scurried off into the bush away from the angry mother lioness. The cub was safe, and it was all thanks to the fast thinking of his mom.
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Full video: youtu.be/XzoE3OJHQq8
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Gareth van Rooyen, a highly experienced safari guide and wildlife fanatic, captured this incredible sighting on video. Gareth shared his story and footage with LatestSightings.com.
“The story starts with a leopard enjoying his meal in peace. When suddenly, a group of noisy baboons found him. The leopard knew that this would attract unwanted attention and tried moving its food to cover, but the alarm calls from the baboons had already piqued the interest of nearby lions!”
“The small pride of three lions was just a few hundred meters away. As they got closer the one male charged in at the leopard forcing it to abandon its meal and the lion was left with the remainder of the carcass”
The female that was with the two males saw this and also wanted to get her share. However, she knew there was no way she could overpower the male to get to the food. She needed to get creative if she wanted any chance of getting a piece. So, she came up with an ingenious plan…
“She approached the male, which Immediately caught his attention. There wasn’t much left on the carcass, and he had no intention of sharing any of it. Then just before he was able to react, she acted on her master plan, gently flicking her tail against his face. This unexpected move stopped him in his tracks! She then got even closer, rubbing her head on his neck. The male lion was totally taken by her actions.”
“Being in heat, she knew just what to do next. She presented herself in front of the male, who had now completely forgotten about the food just in front of him and was paralyzed in a moment of awe. This was the moment the lioness had been waiting for, and she quickly grabbed the food and darted off as fast as she could."
“The male lion was taken by complete surprise and needed a moment to process what just happened. But he quickly realized that he had been fooled and chased after her. The lioness wasn’t quick enough and ended up dropping the carcass before the male could catch her. Her disappointment was visible, while she walked off into the bush.’’
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33-year-old Stephanie McClendon, sales manager for the Luxury Travel Company (Scott Dunn), captured this incredible battle for life. She shared her sightings and footage with LatestSightings.com.
“The day started with a sky full of thunderclouds; this led me to think that we wouldn’t be very lucky with sightings. However, despite the odds and the light rain, the drive started with some great sightings. So, with the cool weather around, we decided to look for some lions, as it was our best chance of seeing them on the move. The early morning drizzle made the perfect canvas for tracks, and in no time, our guide found the resident lion's tracks.”
“While tracking the lions, our guide Nic hit the brakes and came to a sudden stop. We all got super excited; we thought we had found the lions! But we were wrong; Nic reversed and, through his binoculars, showed us a leopard!”
“We immediately turned off the road and made our way towards the termite mound that we spotted the leopard on. Within just a few seconds of the leopard being in clear sight, there was a commotion, and it managed to catch a massive warthog by its throat! The leopard bit down as hard as it could, securing its deadly grip, but this was one of the biggest warthogs I had ever seen, and it refused to go down without a fight!”
“This all took place on the base of a huge termite mound, and you could clearly see the warthog had a burrow not even 2 meters from where it had been caught. During the chaos, the warthog somehow managed to keep a clear head, it knew that the best thing to do would be to get back home to its burrow. The leopard, on the other hand, was using all its power to keep the warthog from getting there.”
“The struggle was back and forth, and for a moment we thought that despite the warthog’s size, the hungry leopard would almost certainly tire it out at some point, but the strength of the warthog was incredible, and it amazingly managed to overpower the leopard all while being choked! It inched closer and closer to its burrow, pulling the leopard with it. Eventually, it managed to reach the entrance of its home, so close but not safe yet.”
“The leopard then spread its back legs and dug them into the sand, and with all its strength, it managed to slightly pull the warthog away. But this was too little too late for the leopard. The warthog was just too big and much too strong; It made a final tug and was able to get half its body into the hole.”
“The fight at this point was basically over, and the leopard knew that. It reluctantly let go, and the warthog scurried backward into the safety of its burrow. The defeated leopard paced up and down the termite mound until it just sat in disbelief at its loss.”
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Leon Badenhorst, a 37-year-old accountant who's also a big-time wildlife photography enthusiast, witnessed this very unique sighting. Leon had this unbelievable experience while driving on the H9 tar road near Phalaborwa Gate in Kruger National Park. He caught the whole thing on camera and shared his footage and story with LatestSightings.com.
Leon left Letaba Camp early in the morning. He wanted to spot some nocturnal birds like Nightjars. As he was driving, something really exciting happened. He saw not one, not two, but three male lions just lying in the middle of the road. Leon was the first car there.
“I stopped my car, hoping the lions wouldn't mind me being there. They were relaxed with me and did not move off. So, I slowly inched closer, to get a better angle for photos and videos.”
“After spending a few moments with them, one of the lions got up and started sniffing at something on the road. I thought it was just some buffalo dung at first. But when I zoomed in with my camera, I realized it was a tiny, tiny baby animal! At first, I couldn't tell what it was. It could have been a dwarf mongoose or even a hyena cub because of its color.”
“The sight of this tiny creature, alive and all alone with these lions, made me feel sad and curious all at the same time. I could hear tiny squeals, but my camera couldn't pick up the sound. The lion seemed curious and was strangely gentle with the little one. Using its paws, it tapped and “played” with the baby animal.”
“After the lion was done with its investigation, it realized this was something it could eat! At that exact moment, I realized what I was looking at, it was a tiny honey badger! the lion then picked it up with its teeth and walked off into the grass. When the lion came back, the baby was no longer with it, and I didn't hear the squeals again.”
After sitting with these lions for quite some time, Leon noticed there was this weird, bad smell around. He thought maybe the lions had taken down their mom, which is extremely sad because honey badger moms are known to fight fiercely to protect their babies. Leon didn't see any signs of a struggle, like blood or injuries on the lions, which just added to the mystery.
Honey badger sightings in Kruger aren't extremely rare, but because they are mostly active at night, you don't see them often during the day. And seeing a tiny pup? That's even rarer because their moms keep them really well hidden. So, having lions around and no mom in sight made this sighting unusual and special.
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Tinged by Brian Abrahamson from Kruger National Park
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Kim Hathway, a consultant broker for Discovery, saw the entire scene play out in Etosha National Park.
Kim and her friends were the only people at the Aus waterhole on the day, having no luck with their sightings, they were just about to move on to their next location. Then, out of nothing but luck, a lioness stuck her head over the hill.
The pride of lions made their way toward the waterhole, filling the atmosphere with excitement. Kim had a feeling that they were ready for action.
A few minutes on, a large black rhino came galloping over the very same hill. Exhausted by the Namibian heat, it headed straight for the little that remained in the waterhole. It instantly plonked itself down, trying to cool off in the muddied water.
Kim couldn’t believe her luck. At the time the rhino couldn’t seem to care about the nearby predators, it was too set on getting a drink, but the lions were certainly aware of it.
The pride inched their way closer and closer, but the rhino didn’t let out much of a reaction. It was almost as if it couldn’t…
This is when Kim realized that something was wrong. The waterhole was quite deep and with the thick mud at the bottom, the rhino was simply stuck and became a sitting duck for the hungry pride of lions.
The lions eventually realized what was happening too and decided to make the most of their luck. Although they knew it was stuck, they were still fully aware of how dangerous a rhino can be. They approached with caution and used hunting tactics to try and finish the job.
Sadly, there wasn’t much that the immobile rhino could do, but all the commotion created by the lions amazingly gave the helpless rhino a lifeline! A passing herd of elephants saw what was happening and acted immediately. They charged at the pride as a unit, and the lions were forced to back off.
With the threat out of sight, most of the herd continued on their way, but one elephant wasn’t happy to leave the rhino at the mercy of the lions. It desperately tried to get the rhino out of the waterhole. Using its tusks and foot, it pushed and pushed, without any luck. At one point the ellie even looked like it was on top of the poor rhino.
This lasted for hours and it unfortunately came to the point where the elephant could simply do no more. It had to move on, even knowing that the lions were still around.
It didn’t take long for the pride to swing back into action. The elephant herd was still around, and they chased them off a few more times, but the ellies soon realized that the case was hopeless and that there was nothing they could do. Leaving the rhino all alone once more.
The lions came back in and eventually managed to flip the rhino on its back, leading to its inevitable drowning. The rhino’s fight was over, and the predators came out as the victors in this unbelievable wildlife story.
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29-year-old Cameron Schmidt, the System Head Ranger at Pumba Private Game Reserve, captured this cute and playful sighting on camera. Cameron shared the sighting with LatestSightings.com.
"It was a typical day at Pumba; we had found the resident lion pride when I noticed the big dad lion resting, with the rest of his pride nearby, and the cubs playing in the thicket." The playful cubs, full of curiosity, decided to explore their surroundings until eventually, their father's flicking tail caught their attention.
The dad lion's tail was swishing back and forth, not out of playfulness, but because of the flies buzzing around the kill they had just made. However, to the mischievous cubs, this moving tail seemed like the perfect plaything. They kept sneaking up on it, pouncing, and pulling, totally focused on its movement.
The dad lion, trying to rest, grew a bit grumpy with this game, he was losing out on some precious sleep. He let out a few growls, hoping to teach his little ones a lesson and chase them off. But the cubs, much like naughty kids, weren't easily discouraged. They would take a few steps back reassess, and come right back and start all over again!
Finally, after a few more attempts at tail-catching the cubs got brave enough to grab it with their teeth, that’s when the dad had enough! He jumped up in frustration and that was when the little cubs decided that it was best if they stopped. They ran off, like little rascals that have been caught red-handed. You could even hear their playful chatter, responding to their dad's shouting, as they moved on to find new games to play.
"We're one of the few reserves in the Eastern Cape, similar to Sanbona in the Western Cape, to have free-roaming white lions." Contrary to some beliefs, these white lions are not albinos but have a genetic condition known as leucism, giving them a distinctive appearance with eye colors ranging from green to blue.
"These lions, including the white ones, are thriving here. They're experienced hunters, having taken down prey as large as giraffes. Despite their bright white color, they seem to still find a way to stalk and hunt their prey in the green eastern Cape landscape."
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Tinged by Don Heyneke from Masai Mara, Kenya.
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Caspar Siebel, a student and photographer, filmed this once-in-a-lifetime sighting during a trip in Sabi Sand, part of the Greater Kruger.
“My dad and I were the only guests on the safari vehicle, and we’d only seen birds for most of the morning’s drive. Then suddenly, a leopard with intent came walking along the road,”
“He quickly rushed across the road in full hunt mode, which brought a rush of excitement to all of us. Our guide decided to circle in the direction that the leopard was headed. After tracking him for about half an hour, we finally found him near what seemed to be a warthog’s burrow.”
“This was the perfect setting for an epic wildlife sighting, but no one knew just what we were in for… The leopard snuck around the burrow and created a commotion at an entrance opposite us. He was trying to draw them out to the entrance closest to our side, and that’s exactly what happened! The father warthog was the first to leave and darted out as quickly as he could into the bushes. This is when I pulled my phone out and started filming.”
“The piglets tried following their father but were sadly just too slow, and by the time the first had gotten out, the leopard was already there, and he quickly grabbed it. The second piglet came out too, but after seeing the leopard with its sibling in its mouth, it froze in fear.”
Leopards don’t usually risk losing their kills and would normally take to the trees as soon as they manage to catch something. This time, things were different...
“The leopard dropped his first victim, knowing it was too injured to go anywhere, and quickly grabbed the second piglet, sadly sealing its fate too. The story doesn’t end just there though, incredibly, the mother warthog, who was still in the burrow, chose the worst possible time to try and make an escape from the entrance at the back. The leopard had already immobilized both her babies and as soon as he heard her, he dropped the second piglet and quickly pounced on her too!”
“Everyone in the vehicle was completely silent for a moment; an entire family was gone. The leopard made quick work of one of the little piglets and then stashed the mother and second piglet in a nearby tree.”
“This was a very sad sighting, but it’s something I will never forget, and I feel blessed to have witnessed nature’s chaos play out in real-time.”
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Tinged by Gavin Brett from Thornybush Game Lodge
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Tinged by Corlette Wessels from Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
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Tinged by Nazeem Mohammed from Kruger National Park
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34-year-old John Fabiano, a photographer with a unique focus on the diverse relationships between humans and dogs across cultures, captured this unique interaction. This rare incident occurred near Lower Sabie, within the Kruger National Park. John shared his story and footage with LatestSightings.com.
Just a short drive from the Lower Sabie camp, John's guide from Travel Buggz was informed of a wild dog sighting ahead, this got everyone excited. Upon arriving at the location around 7:30 a.m., they found the dogs asleep. Wild dogs are endangered, making each sighting precious. John took the moment to take some pictures of the dogs lazing around. Other visitors came and went, but John stayed, intent on capturing the beauty of these wild dogs.
The atmosphere shifted when a couple in a nearby car used their binoculars to look further into the bush, signalling something unusual. John decided to look for himself through his camera, and that’s when he eventually spotted a leopard behind a bush, its gaze fixated on the sleeping dogs. Despite several cars at the scene, a hush fell over the area, and the tension could be felt.
The leopard, using the wind and bushes to its advantage, began a stealthy approach towards the dogs. It used the direction of the wind to blow its scent away from the dogs so they could not be alerted. The thick bushes were perfect camouflage for the leopard. Moving closer to the unsuspecting dogs with each step. The leopard was careful not to make a sound, placing each paw precisely where the 1st was. Its eyes, sharp and focused, never left the dogs as it moved. The dogs were completely unaware. The leopard's movements were so silent and calculated that it was able to get within a few meters of the sleeping dogs!
Just then, one wild dog lifted its head and saw the leopard a few meters from it, instantly shifting the dynamics. The leopard turned in shock and began running, and a chase ensued as the dogs all took off behind the leopard. The confrontation ended as quickly as it began, with the dogs triumphantly returning to their resting spot. For the dogs, they were extremely lucky that one of them picked up the leopard’s presence, had they not things might have not ended so well for one of them!
“Seeing wild dogs is special enough, but witnessing their interaction with a leopard was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” His advice to fellow safari-goers is simple yet profound: respect nature, maintain distance, and leave no trace of your presence.
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Tinged by Peter Forsyth from Sabi Sands
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Tinged by Hans Henrik Haahr from Zambia
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Tinged by Newton Mulenga from Kafue National Park, Zambia
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Tinged by Caitlyn Earwaker from Chobe National Park
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During an early morning safari in Chobe National Park, 63-year-old Desmond Clack, a seasoned tour guide, captured this unique scene. Desmond shared the footage and story with LatestSightings.com.
“We set off at dawn, entering Chobe National Park at 6 a.m. in search of elephants, we headed to a remote watering hole inland, as we hadn’t seen any the night before along the river.”
Upon arrival around 6:30 am, the first sight that greeted them was a pride of lions feasting on a young buffalo. "It was a special sighting, but what followed was extraordinary," Desmond recalls. Just then, a female elephant, accompanied by her twin calves—a rarity in itself—approached the watering hole. Seeing an elephant with twins is a very rare occurrence. It must have been very difficult for the mother elephant to take care of two tiny babies at the same time. She had to find enough food and water for both and keep them safe.
"She was unaware of the lurking danger as she led her babies to quench their thirst. The mother elephant was desperate for water. The dry season had left few water sources, and this isolated waterhole was their only hope. Despite the risks, she had no choice but to lead her twins there. Suddenly, she realised the presence of the lions. The pride, having just fed, surprisingly turned their attention to the new arrivals."
“The mother elephant realising the danger, tried to fend off the lions. The lions retreated but soon regrouped, and this time they encircled the mother and calves. In a bold move to fend them off, she charged at them, hoping to scare them away. This left her calves momentarily unguarded. It was during this critical moment that the lions seized the opportunity to attack. In the chaos, one of the calves tripped, and a male lion saw its chance. He pounced and grabbed it!”
"The mother elephant rushed back, realising the danger to her other calf. In a frantic bid to save her offspring, she was torn between protecting the second calf or rescuing the first calf. She rushed at the lions that had grabbed the first calf, leaving the second exposed. The lions took this moment to go at the second calf. Luckily for it, the mother returned in time to save it. However, the first calf was not so lucky."
The sighting ended with the mother elephant and her surviving calf escaping, leaving the lions and her first calf behind. At this point, Desmond stopped filming because it was just too sad. He couldn't keep watching as a little elephant was taken away from the mother, and she could do nothing but look on.
"In such moments, it's best to understand the situation and remain quiet. Any noise can escalate the tension. It's the harsh reality of the circle of life."
"To witness an elephant with twins was a first for me, and the unfolding events were both awe-inspiring and heart-wrenching. In the wild, every day is a fight for survival, and this sighting was a testament to the incredible strength and resilience of these majestic creatures."
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The remarkable sighting was captured on camera by 62-year-old Brian Abrahamson during a safari in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Brian, the owner of Bridev Construction, documented the extraordinary scenes on the Maroela Loop. He shared the footage and sighting with LatestSightings.com.
"We were driving along the Maroela Loop; the scattered Maroela trees provide an amazing backdrop and just give one a tranquil feel. As we took a bend, there was a car stopped on the roadside. My heart raced! What could it be? The gentleman in the other vehicle waved us down and showed us a boomslang hunting a chameleon in a tree that was right next to the road.”
“I was with my close friend Peter, and we decided to stay and watch what was going to happen next. Initially, the boomslang looked like it had the flap-necked chameleon cornered. But the chameleon decided it was not over and began fighting back.”
“The chameleon, surprisingly quick and agile, fought back fiercely, biting the underside of the snake. It even changed colors, shifting from lime to dark green, perhaps to confuse its attacker."
Above them, a brown snake eagle hovered, waiting to seize an opportunity. It was, however, being mobbed by two beautiful lilac-breasted rollers, adding a whole different excitement to this already very captivating sighting.
"The turning point came when the boomslang paused its attack, sensing the eagle overhead. The snake was cautious, afraid of becoming prey itself. But as soon as the eagle left, the snake struck the fatal blow, biting the chameleon below its flap right into its open mouth."
"The eagle returned, perching on a nearby knob thorn tree. Sensing this, the snake quickly vanished into the grass, leaving the dead chameleon hanging in the dead tree."
"Always be patient and watch out for the smaller interactions among animals in the bush. Such moments, though often overlooked, can be as thrilling as any big game sighting."
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