Lion Predation

[Pantherinae]

Crocodile Lion battle
A few weeks ago these game scouts came across this huge 14ft crocodile lying dead on the sand in the Chiredzi River water course. Of course they were very hesitant to approach this huge beast but after some time they realised it was dead.

Scouts with Croc

On closer investigation they found the croc had what looked like bite wounds on its belly and around the neck. Curious as they were they took to reading the scene like we would read a BOOK. Checking out all the signs they could find in tracks in the sand, scrape marks on the tree, flattened grass and reeds they were able to piece together the puzzle.

A leopard had killed an impala and dragged it up a tree to get it out the way of hyaenas and lions. Well that’s the idea.

The crocodile had either heard the commotion or had smelt the kill and leaving the water tracked down the kill only to find it in a tree. At the same time a pride of lions had arrived on the scene. But now they were doubly puzzled. The kill they were after was in the tree AND there was an enormous crocodile at the base of the tree laying claim to the kill too. All the while the leopard was probably in the tree not daring to leave its place of safety.

Crocodile tail

The lions wouldn’t have cared less for the leopard but the 14 ft monster was something to think about. From the tracks in the sand the scouts were able to make out that there was QUITE a skirmish between the lions and the crocodile. But outnumbered the crocodile got away although it was injured and died about a 100m from the tree where the kill was.

Scarey

The lions in the meantime had MANAGED to scale the tree and steal the leopards kill. At this stage the leopard had probably climbed into the very highest branches where being lighter it would be safe from lions blundering around the tree.

This would have been QUITE an event to witness indeed. And just finding the croc there dead on the sand wouldn’t have told the story. But the great tracking skills of the Malilangwe game scouts was able to bring to us this incredible event.

Stay tuned for more exciting events as we venture back to the wild dogs tomorrow.



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