A massive African crocodile chases three cheetahs away from the carcass of a gazelle they had just killed moments before to claim the tasty meal for itself.
Two tourists, Bob and Rosa Swart, witnessed the thrilling chase between the crocodile and the cheetahs along the dry Shingwedzi River in Kruger National Park, as reported by Latest Sightings on May 2. Earlier, they had spotted three cheetahs while driving through the park. Despite the scorching sun, the cheetah group remained highly alert, fixated on something in the distance. The Swarts waited for over an hour until a herd of waterbucks approached, including some young ones.
A large group of crocodiles intimidates the cheetahs, forcing them to abandon their prey and flee.
Suddenly, one cheetah from the group sneaked into the bushes while the other two began to chase a gazelle. Eventually, they managed to catch one from the herd. The commotion attracted the attention of crocodiles sunbathing at the water’s edge. One by one, they crawled closer. The cheetahs tried to hold their ground, hissing at their foes.
However, the overwhelming number of crocodiles frightened the cheetahs, causing them to abandon their meal and make a hasty retreat. A total of 12 crocodiles appeared. Nevertheless, only the largest crocodile remained to feast on the gazelle carcass, surrounded by vultures and other scavenging birds.
Cheetahs are renowned for their speed and agility, making them successful hunters. They can sprint at speeds of up to 120 km/h to catch prey quickly. Cheetahs rely on their keen eyesight to spot prey from a distance and utilize their speed to ambush.
Crocodiles do not frequently scavenge. They typically prefer to hunt their own prey rather than feeding on animals that have just been killed. Crocodiles eat nearly anything they can catch, including fish, birds, and mammals.
Crocodiles and cheetahs compete for the gazelle carcass. (Video: Latest Sightings).
