A Turf War...

Some photos demand a post all of their own...

We happened upon quite a scene one morning, around the middle of our trip.  We spotted a hyena in the water and a rolling mass of movement along side it.  When we stopped the car to have a better look, there was the hyena hanging onto a carcass with all his might, while a massive crocodile flung himself around in the water, trying to get the carcass away from the hyena.  It was quite a thing to witness the hyena actually managing to wrestle the carcass away from the croc.  The croc managed to tear a leg off the carcass, but the hyena got the rest...

 While the hyena managed to get the carcass to the safety of the shore, the croc circled...

 Every time the croc circled away, the hyena got stuck into eating as much as he could.  I guess the risk of his meal being nicked was too big a risk...

The hyena was very aware of the croc and I guess all of us watching were hoping for a bit more tug-of-war action, but it didn't happen...

 As you can see, the croc really did get very close to the hyena and he was really nervous...

 On one of his loops, the croc got a little close to a huge hippo and got a right telling off...

  What a messy face!  We'd actually seen this same hyena the day before.  He is blind in one eye and his legs are so frail that his hips are poking through the skin, we didn't think we'd see him again.  This meal would've been so important to this guy, we were very happy to see him getting something substantial to eat.

Not a great picture, but I love how the croc is lying in the water with his mouth wide open, while the hyena looks on over his prey.  I wonder who would win if they took each other on...

Unfortunately, we didn't have more time to sit and watch the show, we still had a long drive ahead of us that morning, but what a way to start the day!

Love,

Sue xxx