A few weeks ago I was shooting wildlife (with my camera) at Tau Game Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve. After the morning drive I went back to my room to shower and when I got out, I went to look on my balcony to see if there was anything interesting walking around at the watering hole (all of the rooms are positioned in front of it). To my surprise I saw two lionesses walking along the ridge, I ran to get my camera, quickly changed the lens and stood waiting. They plonked themselves underneath a tree in the shade and I assumed they would go to sleep, which they did.
About half an hour later (now I was thankfully dressed) I saw three warthogs come walking along the same ridge and path that the lionesses had chosen. I quickly got my camera and waited. Something had to happen. Sure enough the lionesses spotted them (even though one of the warthogs stood right in front of them and didn’t see or smell them) and the hunt was on …
The little warthog looks straight into the eye of the lioness and doesn't see her. If you look carefully you'll notice her hiding underneath the tree
The lionesses start their approach
Amazingly the warthogs have no idea what is about to happen
They start the chase
In a split second the three warthogs make a dash for it in different directions
The lionesses single out the young warthog who was in the middle
Sheer power and strength. This lioness has one thing on her mind
The dusty sandbank proves to be a bit more slippery than anticipated
She still tries her hardest to keep up with the young warthog
This is the last photo we received in the sequence so far. We’re waiting with bated breath to find out from the photographer what happened in the end.
What do you think? Do you think the warthog escaped, or do you think the lioness got away with her prize?
