Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves, is renowned for its incredible wildlife and is a favorite among safari enthusiasts eager to spot the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. Spanning over two million hectares, the park is larger than Israel and is home to nearly 150 mammal species, more than 100 reptile species (including 51 types of snakes), 49 fish species, and over 500 bird species, as noted on the official website.
With such rich biodiversity, every safari in Kruger is unique, often revealing new and sometimes unusual animal behaviors. Dean Grant, who has been on numerous safaris throughout his life, was particularly taken aback when he witnessed a pride of eight lionesses attacking a hippo, leading to an unexpected incident involving a Land Rover being bitten.
The event unfolded during an early-morning drive after Grant’s family entered the park from Mjejane, heading west along the river. While they anticipated seeing big cats, they did not expect to see lions, both young and old, targeting a lone hippo. “Our initial excitement turned to sorrow as we watched the poor old hippo struggle against the pride. But, I also felt respect for the lions’ relentless determination to feed their pride. This was nature’s cycle in action,” Grant shared with Latest Sightings.
The hippo fought fiercely to reach the river, knowing it had an advantage in the water. Although lions can swim, they struggle against the speed of these large, semi-aquatic animals. As the lionesses took turns chasing the hippo, the chaos unfolded in the middle of the road. A sedan managed to pass unharmed, but an SUV fell victim to a peculiar bite from the hippo before backing away.
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“We felt privileged to have witnessed such a rare and powerful moment,” Grant reflected on the sighting. Later, during an afternoon safari, his family discovered that the lionesses and their young had already finished their meal. Despite their group hunting tactics, lions rarely target hippos due to their considerable size, strength, and aggressive nature.