Category: Wildlife

“We were heading out of camp when we heard baboons alarm calling, so we raced to the riverbed in search of the commotion. We had just missed the actual catch but saw the rest of the impala scattering, so we knew something was going on and that’s when we spotted the leopard, dragging an impala, with a wild dog hot on its pursuit.

The lone wild dog, who is one of a pack made up of 11 adults and 10 pups, was yapping as the leopard dragged the meal (still alive at the time) up from the riverbed onto the open area that you see in the video.”

“The leopard managed to chase the wild dog off, but the wild dog called for the others and just before the leopard reached the tree to get its meal up to safety, away from the scavengers, the pack of wild dogs ran onto the scene and scared the leopard into the tree, leaving the impala on the ground. The impala saw the opportunity and tried to make a run for it, just before it was brought down again by the wild dogs!”

“The dogs quickly started making work of eating the meal while two others kept the leopard in the tree by jumping up and snarling at the leopard from below. It all went quiet for a while as the wild dogs feasted on the leopards’ well-earned meal, just before 2 hungry hyenas burst onto the scene as well, quickly making their way through the wild dogs, and to the meal. One hyena kept the wild dogs at bay while the other was enjoying the impala all to itself until a 3rd hyena also joined.”

“The wild dogs moved off into the bush for a while as a 4th hyena also made its way to the meal but was chased off by the other 3 hyenas. The wild dogs returned every so often to see if they could win the meal back, but, as the minutes past, there was less and less left of the carcass.”

“We only found out afterward that the dogs were about to bring the pups to the kill after dealing with the leopard, but stopped on the road not far away (out of shot) once the hyenas arrived. There were 9 hyenas in total which have been tracking the dogs all week and the previous day we saw the dogs chase the hyenas away from a waterhole when the pups needed to drink.”

“The hyenas finished off every shred of the impala except the head, within minutes, only stopping to fight with each other – and the largest female then made off with the head to a nearby open field. The leopard then came down the tree and followed the hyenas to see if he could pick up any scraps but ended up with nothing, just watching from a distance.”

This exhilarating sighting was captured by 62-year-old, David Pinkernell, a retired Hewlett Packard employee who enjoys travelling and volunteering for non-profits, while on safari with his wife Carrie and friends of 40 years (Andrea, Brad, and Leslie) in Chitake Springs in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe.

David tells LatestSightings.com the story: “Our amazing guide, Nick Murry, owner of Bushlife Safaris, put us in the perfect position to see a pride of 30 lions attack 300 very thirsty Cape Buffalo charging down to drink from the only water source available for many miles. We were standing on the edge of a cliff with no other people around, with no idea that we were going to see something extremely rare!”

“While at the waterhole, a dramatic back and forth battle occurred between the lions and buffaloes, the adults were doing their best to rescue the calves and after about 10 minutes at the waterhole the buffaloes ran back up the hillside.”

“As the buffalo ran up the hillside, the two male lions left their initial kills to chase the wounded calves. The two calves who had been rescued by the herd were once again the target and the two male lions went in for the kill this time the adult buffaloes were not able to rescue them.”

“My adrenalin was running and I got quite emotional but this is nature and it happens every day. It is just extremely rare to get footage of it.”

“My wife and I have been on 8 safaris arranged by Africa Adventure Company. On three of our trips, we visited Mana Pools. In 150 days on safari, we had never seen a lion kill. On day 3 of this safari, we saw more than 4 lion kills in less than 7 minutes! It was incredibly rare! Although, only 1 successful”

Just a jam packed action video of 3 huge male lions killing a lone male, when the calls of distress from the lone lion attracts a nearby herd of buffalo, this herd runs in to the action, causing the attacking lions to flee. But the luck of the lone lion goes worse when the buffaloes attack him too.

The African savanna is a land of fierce predators and resilient prey, a constant battleground where survival is a daily struggle. Recently, a dramatic incident unfolded, showcasing the raw intensity of this struggle and the unexpected alliances that can emerge. A lone lion found itself cornered by three male lions, undoubtedly facing a grim end, when a herd of Cape buffalo intervened, creating a spectacle that has captivated the world.

The incident, captured on camera by stunned onlookers, paints a vivid picture of the life-or-death situation. The three male lions, powerful and coordinated, had clearly marked their target. The lone lion, likely outnumbered and outmatched, was pinned down, its fate seemingly sealed. Lions, particularly male coalitions, are known to eliminate rivals to secure territory and dominance, and this lion appeared to be a victim of such ambition.

However, fate had other plans. A large herd of Cape buffalo, a formidable force in their own right, appeared on the horizon. These imposing creatures, often seen as lumbering grazers, possess a fierce protective instinct, particularly when threatened or witnessing injustice within their domain.

And that’s exactly what happened. Witnessing the lions’ attack, the buffalo herd, numbering in the dozens, charged towards the scene. The ground trembled beneath their hooves as they thundered towards the lions, their horns lowered and their collective presence a terrifying sight.

The three male lions, caught off guard by the sudden intervention, quickly realized the tables had turned. They abandoned their prey, choosing to prioritize their own safety over fulfilling their predatory instincts. The buffalo, relentless in their pursuit, chased the lions away, ensuring the lone lion was safe from harm.

The stunned lion, undoubtedly grateful for the unexpected rescue, slowly rose to its feet, surveying the scene in disbelief. It’s believed the buffalo sensed the unfairness of the attack and acted accordingly, highlighting the complex social dynamics and surprising acts of compassion that exist even in the brutal world of the African savanna.

This incredible event serves as a powerful reminder of the intricate web of life that connects all species within an ecosystem. It showcases the raw power of nature, the unexpected alliances that can form, and the unwavering will to survive. The image of the charging buffalo herd, saving a lion from certain death, is a testament to the power of collective action and a captivating example of the drama that unfolds daily in the heart of Africa. It is a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, hope can emerge from the most unlikely of sources.

A leopard vs porcupine is but one of the iconic sightings that everyone wants to see.

Ard van de Wetering had an opportunity to capture that sighting on film on his trip to the Kruger National Park recently.

The warthog, a creature known for dwelling in burrows across vast territories, shares these plains with the cheetah and their young.

Displaying territorial behavior, the warthog sometimes exhibits extreme hostility. In a dramatic encounter, the warthog caught sight of the young cheetahs nearby and launched an attack.

This pioneering series follows the interconnected stories of a cast of iconic savannah animals over one year. With unique access to a pristine and unspoilt corner of the Serengeti deep in the heart of Africa, this series captures the drama of the animals’ daily lives and the emotional moments they face. Join the lonely lioness, exiled from the pride, the passionate baboon desperately trying to win back his lost love and the cheeky, fun-loving mongoose family on the lookout for a free lunch.

Packed full of humour, heartbreak and nail-biting tension, their captivating adventures will keep you hooked. Using groundbreaking filming techniques and an original music score to put you at the heart of the action, Serengeti brings this incredible world of real-life animal drama to the screen in intimate and breathtaking detail.

Deep in the forests of New Guinea there is a rich variety of life, each more bizarre than the last. One such spectacle is the male Bird of Paradise who appears to go to extraordinary lengths to attract a mate.

“At the scene near camp Khwai, we saw two lionesses lying in the shade on a blistering hot day. After a while we returned to camp for brunch and around 40 min later we returned to the lions to see if anything had changed. Upon arrival, we noticed there were no lions in the shade, but when we looked to the other side of us we saw the lions already on the roan antelope less than 15 meters from us. The initial attack was only witnessed by the people in our car and we were the only people that witnessed everything from start to finish.”

“Initial emotions were emotions of excitement at being able to see such a rare sighting in broad daylight. However, as the day unfolded feelings of sorrow and heroics developed towards the struggling roan. Battered and bruised, the roan was fighting for survival.”

“By the time we had to leave late afternoon both the roan and lions were lying in the shade, mere meters away from each other. It seemed as if there was a truce between them. We returned to the scene the next morning, but didn’t see anything. I am of the opinion that the roan died somewhere during the night, but no one knows for sure. One can only assume what happened in the end.”

“I have been privileged to see many rare animal sightings and behaviours throughout Southern Africa, but this tops the list as the most touching and memorable sighting. Almost as if there was an emotional connection”.

This is rare footage captured by the Campbell-Harris family while on holiday to the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

This sighting was spotted on the S1, 300m West of the S65 turnoff West of Skukuza.

Gorillas, the gentle giants of the primate world, have long fascinated humans with their intelligence, social structures, and striking similarities to our own species.

These magnificent creatures, found in the dense forests of Central Africa, are our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, sharing a staggering 98.3% of our DNA. This article will delve into the fascinating world of gorillas and explore the remarkable connections we share with them.

First, let’s take a closer look at the different gorilla species:

Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla): The smallest of the gorilla subspecies, western lowland gorillas are found in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Angola.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla graueri): Also known as Grauer’s gorillas, they are the largest of the gorilla subspecies and are native to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei): Famed for their appearances in documentaries and conservation efforts, mountain gorillas inhabit the montane forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Cross River Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli): The rarest and most endangered gorilla subspecies, Cross River gorillas are found in a small region along the border between Nigeria and Cameroon.
Gorillas and humans share a multitude of similarities, including:

DNA: As mentioned earlier, gorillas share 98.3% of our DNA, making them our closest relatives after chimpanzees and bonobos.

Social Structure: Gorillas live in stable, cohesive groups called troops, which are led by a dominant silverback male. These troops can consist of several females, their offspring, and other males. Similarly, humans are also social creatures that form families and communities.

Intelligence: Gorillas are highly intelligent, with the ability to use tools, learn sign language, and even recognize themselves in mirrors. They have been observed using sticks to gauge water depth, rocks to crack open hard-shelled fruits, and leaves as napkins to wipe their mouths.

Communication: Gorillas communicate using a complex system of vocalizations, body language, and facial expressions. They have been documented using over 25 different vocalizations to convey various messages, from expressing contentment to warning off potential threats.
Emotions: Gorillas experience a wide range of emotions, including joy, sadness, anger, and fear. They have been observed engaging in play, grooming, and even showing empathy towards one another.