By Roxanne Reid
You’d think that a pride of 14 lions would be unstoppable, able to take down any animal of their choosing. But in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park recently, a different scenario played out. Watch what happens when a young elephant takes on 14 lions.
You’d think that a pride of 14 lions would be unstoppable, able to take down any animal of their choosing. But in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park recently, a different scenario played out. Watch what happens when a young elephant takes on 14 lions.
The video was shot by guests on a game drive from Norman Carr Safaris’ Chinzombo Camp. With them was Innocent, one of the top safari guides who works with Norman Carr Safaris. ‘In the many years I have been a safari guide in Zambia at the South Luangwa, never have I seen anything like this,’ he said.
The young elephant seemed to have become separated from the herd when the all-female lion pride took a keen interest. It’s not clear why the rest of the herd didn’t come to this youngster’s aid, although they may have had small calves with them, which would have exposed them to danger.
Luckily, a thick skin is in an elephant’s favour, as is a brave heart; the elephant managed to fend off the attack, even charging the lions more than once.
The guests decided to dub the little guy ‘Hercules’ and you can watch the amazing encounter below. No need to worry if you’re sensitive: the ellie wins the battle and no lions were harmed in the making of this video!
The young elephant seemed to have become separated from the herd when the all-female lion pride took a keen interest. It’s not clear why the rest of the herd didn’t come to this youngster’s aid, although they may have had small calves with them, which would have exposed them to danger.
Luckily, a thick skin is in an elephant’s favour, as is a brave heart; the elephant managed to fend off the attack, even charging the lions more than once.
The guests decided to dub the little guy ‘Hercules’ and you can watch the amazing encounter below. No need to worry if you’re sensitive: the ellie wins the battle and no lions were harmed in the making of this video!
In case you're wondering what happened after filming ended, the ellie got away across the river and up the bank. Still hungry, the lions caught a buffalo later that night.
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