Thanks to a smart decision, the Nyala antelope escaped from the jaws of a wild dog and survived against all odds.
Benji Solms, a guide at Serondella, South Africa, was fortunate to witness this incredible scene.
Attacked by wild dogs, the Nyala antelope struggles to fight back and survive.
According to Solms, the incident began when a lone wild dog chased a Nyala antelope. Instead of giving in, the antelope quickly outran the dog and raced toward a waterhole in an attempt to escape danger.
However, it was still caught by the predator. As the wild dog tore at it, the Nyala fought back fiercely for its life. In a bold move, the antelope made the decision to drag the wild dog into the water. As a result, the dog, choking on water, was forced to release its prey and scramble back onto dry land.
At that moment, a lioness appeared. Curious about the commotion, she approached and spotted the antelope. Instead of seizing a potential meal, the lioness chose to chase after the wild dog. With the dog out of sight and the lioness distracted, the Nyala managed to escape safely.
The Nyala antelope is not known for its swimming ability. While they can wade through shallow waters and move in small streams, they are not adapted for long-distance swimming or deep water. Their bodies are built for agility on land rather than in water.
Meanwhile, wild dogs, also known as African painted dogs, are incredibly skilled hunters. They are highly social animals that live in packs with a structured hierarchy. Team spirit is key to the success of this species when hunting.
Wild dogs have an impressive hunting success rate, estimated to be around 80% in their hunts.
