Lebala Lion Hunt

On our morning drive we came round a corner and approached a stretch of water - long, but not very wide - with a pack of 25 lions spread out along the grass on the far side. All looking across the water at a lone Lechwe on the near side where we were watching. The Lechwe was obviously injured to some extent and had become separated from his friends. The water, which clearly contained some crocodiles, lay between the lion pack and their prey. The stage was set. Neither Lions nor Lechwe fancied crossing the water, but one lioness came round to our side and started her approach. Meawhile the Alpha Male had also come round from the other end and settled down to watch. In my innocence I thought he had come to help, but I was soon put to rights by Theo and KB: he wasn't there to help, but rather to steal the Lechwe after the kill! The lioness charged, the Lechwe leaped away and the lioness overshot. The Lechwe then decided to cross the water - and managed to do so without encountering any crocodile - only to be swiftly dispatched by a lioness from the main pack. Then, as predicted, the male lion strolled across the water........... and snatched the kill. My guides were exactly right !! What a morning.