After the lioness’s failed attack on the rhinoceros, it walked away, leaving the male to become the target of its enemies’ wrath.
(Video: Latest Sightings).
Guide Jordan Davidson was quite surprised to witness a confrontation between lions and a rhinoceros at the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in South Africa, according to Latest Sightings. Three lions, approximately 5 years old, consisting of two females and one male, were resting during the midday. However, this peaceful moment was disrupted by a wandering rhinoceros in search of fresh grass.
The lions were aware of their limitations; even with three of them, taking down a large white rhinoceros still posed significant risks. Therefore, the tourists on the safari were thrilled to see the rhinoceros approaching the resting lions. The rhinoceros’s vision is poor, making it likely that it could not see anything far away, but the scent of the lion pride raised its suspicion, prompting it to investigate. Eventually, the rhinoceros got close enough that one of the lionesses felt uncomfortable. It ran away, at which point the rhinoceros could clearly see and shifted into a defensive stance.
The confrontation between the lion pride and the rhinoceros.
The remaining lioness was quicker to seize the opportunity. As soon as the rhinoceros chased her sister, she prepared to pounce and waited for the right moment. The lioness didn’t have to wait long as the rhinoceros quickly decided to turn back. After targeting the rhinoceros’s flank, the lioness realized it had chosen prey that was too formidable. It immediately released its grip and backed off, leaving the irritated rhinoceros to turn around. At this point, both lionesses had disappeared, leaving only the male lion blocking the rhinoceros’s path. The male lion sprang up just as the rhinoceros charged. Both of the rhinoceros’s attacks nearly struck him. The male lion hurriedly dashed into the bushes to escape.
African lions (Panthera leo) primarily inhabit the sub-Saharan region. They are the only social cats in the world and the second-largest in the Felidae family, only after tigers. Adult African lions weigh about 120 – 190 kg, with a body length of 1.4 – 2 m excluding the tail. Male lions protect the territory of the pride, while females are the primary hunters. Their prey includes antelopes, zebras, and various other animals.
