Photographer captures warthog’s epic clash with a lion
Capturing a kill on camera can be a seriously tricky feat, so our hats are off to photographer Trix Jonker who managed to take this series of epic photographs on a recent trip to South Africa’s Addo Elephant Park.
In what proved to be a fatal error, this rather unfortunate warthog wandered into a lion’s path and was quickly snatched up by the big cat. Image: Caters News Agency
After initially evading an attack, the warthog made a fatal mistake and headed back towards the lion pride. Image: Caters News Agency
“It was getting late and the game reserve gates were closing in an hour,” Jonker recalls. “I looked away and when I looked back I saw the warthog coming straight towards some resting lions.”
Unaware of the lions’ presence, the warthog headed straight for a bush where one of the big cats was snoozing. It didn’t know it, but it actually had the element of surprise on its side … it startled the sleeping lioness and was able to make a quick getaway.
But Jonker couldn’t believe her eyes when the warthog foolishly headed back towards the lions after its initial close shave.
“By this time, a male lion had woken up and was sitting up straight, trying to see what the commotion was. He saw the warthog coming and went straight into the attack position. This was when I had my camera poised as I knew something was going to happen,” she explains.
Despite attempts to defend itself, the warthog was no match for the opportunistic lion. Image: Caters News Agency
“At one stage there was only this big dust cloud and I could not see what was happening.” Image: Caters News Agency
Jonker was lucky enough to capture the six-minute battle on camera. “I couldn’t believe how tough the warthog was, and was absolutely stunned by what I saw that afternoon. It’s amazing I managed to capture it.”
“Then when the dust cleared and I saw the lion holding the warthog between his front paws and looking straight at me.” Image: Caters News Agency
Source: Caters News Agency