A young bull elephant died of natural causes in the middle of the Ewaso Nyiro River, in Samburu National Reserve, Kenya. As is protocol, the Kenya Wildlife Service came and removed the elephant’s tusks immediately – to prevent poachers from collecting them.
A dead elephant is a potentially huge meal for lions, and we knew they would come. But were unsure which lions would come first – lions from Samburu or the ones from Buffalo Springs.
Lguret, the dominant male in the area, was first on the scene and stayed close to the elephant carcass, guarding it from crocodiles and marabou storks. Eventually, Nanai, Nabulu and their 5 cubs arrived and all lions stayed close to the elephant.
Nanai and Lguret were the most aggressive and fought huge battles with crocodiles, as Nabulu usually stayed back with the cubs.
Joshua, our Lion Watch guide from Larsens Camp sent this message:
“The fight was so brutal such that the lions pounced on the crocodile and overpowered it. It took about 10 minutes and the crocodile dragged slowly in the deep end. It was amazing. I noticed that Nanai is more fierce than Nabulu. The five cubs were at a distance watching and praying. It was wonderful”.
Working in the field is always full of exciting surprises!
Lguret notices a crocodile near the elephant carcass. The elephant appears poached but it died of natural causes. KWS removed the tusks so poachers wouldn’t take them.
Lguret approaches the crocodile.
The crocodile whips back into an aggressive stance when it sees the lion.
Lguret stares down the crocodile.
Over the course of the next few days, many lions – both adults and cubs – faced off with crocodiles over the elephant carcass.
Nanai snarls at the crocodile.
Lguret swats the crocodile with his paw.
A toothsome showdown.
The crocodile whips its tail and sends water flying in an aggressive display.
Nanai (left) and Lguret face off with the crocodile.
Visitor Kai Banks captured a great encounter between Lguret and some females with a huge crocodile. Watch the video below:
And watch this video by Jacob Leadura, Samburu Lodge naturalist and Lion Watch guide.