animals

Deon Kelbrick filmed this curiously one-sided interaction and sent it to Latest Sightings. It occurred at the viewpoint on the H1-3, just north of Tshokwane Picnic Site in the Kruger National Park.

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Deon’s series of video clips began by setting the scene. A large pride of twenty lions lay spread out on the bank of a dry riverbed.

The pride consists of a mature male, several lionesses and cubs of various ages. Renowned for their strength, both individually and collectively, you would think that nothing would disturb their late morning nap.

While most of the pride rested peacefully, three of them either heard or smelt something that got their attention. Moving away from the group, they went to investigate.

Subsequently, rising up from the riverbed, appeared a young, lone elephant bull.

On reaching maturity, male elephants leave their natal herds, so this was not unusual in itself. But more about that later.

As the oversized gate-crasher came into view, the three lions tensed up. Lions are known to prey on lone elephants in some places, but seldom in Kruger Park.

And it would be no different on this day. Seeing that the bull was heading directly towards them, the three lions gave way.

It was clear that the elephant was well aware of the lions’ presence. Ears flared and head held upright, the bull lengthened his stride as he made straight towards them.

When he got within twenty metres of the pride, he pulled up to assess the situation. And, to give the big cats a chance to leave of their own accord.

In response, some members of the pride got to their feet and sauntered off. Meanwhile, others remained where they were, not ready to exert themselves until the bull made his next move.

Not impressed by the lions’ failure to give way immediately, the elephant took things up a notch. Showing surprising acceleration, the bull charged, trumpeting loudly as he did.

Every member of the pride, from the dominant male to the youngest cub, immediately took off in the opposite direction.

Soon enough, the elephant decided that he had made his point. Pulling up, once again, he tracked the movement of a lioness who had splintered from the pride in the chaos.

Later, satisfied that she too did not dispute his supremacy, the bull ripped up a tussock of grass to chew on.

Apparently not liking the taste of his snack, he promptly wandered off.
As for the lions, seeing their tormentor waddle off without a care in the world, they soon returned to where they had lain earlier.

If lions could talk, you can be sure none of them was about to mention anything about being ‘king of the jungle’.

In both lion and elephant communities, adult males play little to no role in raising their offspring. Their contribution in this respect is limited to security and DNA. In both instances, when they reach sexual maturity, they are forced (generally by dominant males in the area) to leave their mothers.
Usually, they will band with other males to form bachelor groups or alliances, from which they derive mutual protection. This affords them an environment in which to grow stronger and wiser, thereby enhancing their chances of reproductive success when fully matured.

No doubt, this young bull’s experience will have helped build his confidence, shaping his character for a long life ahead.

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