See a Crocodile Attack Two Male Lions Out for a Swim

Written by Kirstin Harrington
Updated: October 20, 2023
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Located in Botswana, the Wilderness Safaris’ King’s Pool is a beautiful destination for tourists looking to get an authentic taste of the African safari. Africa is the second-largest continent in the globe and spans the equator, which endows it with a vast range of fauna and scenery. 

Check Out This Surprise Attack in the Video Below!

Enormous herds of roaming herbivores are eaten by natural predators, while the country’s dark, impenetrable forests are home to gorillas, monkeys, and reptiles. One couple took advantage of the perks at their destination and allowed their guide to take them on the adventure of a lifetime. The previous day, the group had seen two male lions roaming around. Little did they know they’d see them again so soon.

The two gorgeous felines were getting hydrated in the Linyanti swamp, at the end of the Cuando River, located between Namibia and Botswana. As the two drink, the tour guide with the couple can be heard whispering, “That’s a crocodile,” as the camera pans to the other side of the swamp.

You can see ripples move on the water’s surface as a crocodile slowly creeps its way toward the lions. The younger cat starts going deeper into the water, getting ready to attempt to cross to the other side. You can spot the look on the elder lion’s face, as he’s cautiously looking around to ensure no predators are around.  

Lion and lioness drinking at the watering hole

Even lions are safer staying on shore when the watering hole is infested with crocodiles.

©Stu Porter/Shutterstock.com

An innocent child in the background can be heard saying, “Lions can swim?” In this situation, the lions likely wished they had stayed on shore. Just as the two cats are about to reach the water’s edge, the crocodile picks up speed. In a heartbreaking scene, the sneaky crocodile takes the younger lion underwater. 

Crocodiles use a death roll, a snap of the neck, or keeping their victim underwater until they drown, to kill their prey. Crocodiles use their death roll to dismember and fragment their prey. The prey falls apart into smaller pieces, making it simpler for the croc to ingest. For larger prey like lions, if given the opportunity, the crocodile will hold it underwater, drowning it before tearing it apart. 

Luckily, this croc was outnumbered. While he attacks the younger cat, the elder one jumps in on the defense. Both felines survived the attack with minimal injuries and made their way to separate sides of the swamp. It’s not often an animal survives a crocodile attack. This just shows how intense it can be when two apex predators face off. 

Take a look at the video below that will leave you on the edge of your seat. We’ve also included a variety of equally shocking videos that make you grateful you don’t live in the wild with crocodiles! 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Angel Gutierrez Sanjuan


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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

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