Incredible sighting in the Okavango Delta

Guests at Footsteps Camp in the Okavango Delta in Botswana witnessed an incredible and startling sighting on their morning game drive, as two lions attacked a hippo at one of the pans. Hippos are not usually preyed upon by lions - not only are they a fearsome opponent, but they spend much of the day submerged and hidden from sight in pools and rivers.

Lions prey on injured hippo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This particular hippo had clearly been in a territorial fight with another hippo, and was badly wounded. His injuries were serious enough for him to remain out of the water, and this is what led to his ultimate demise. Two hungry male lions discovered the hippo standing next to Teal Pan, and as the opportunists they are, decided they were more than a match for the injured animal; although it still took some considerable time for them to dispatch him.

This incredible photograph is courtesy of Linda Jones.

 

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