Survival of the Nyala: Remarkable Encounter Between Predator and Prey in South Africa’s Nature Reserves

A male nyala antelope in South Africa’s Mkuze nature reserve narrowly escaped the clutches of both lions and crocodiles in a unique interaction between these three predators. A tourist was able to capture the moment on film, showing how the antelope was stalked by a lioness before it made a daring escape into the water.

However, even in the safety of the water, the antelope still faced danger from hungry crocodiles lurking nearby. Despite this threat, the lioness did not pursue it further and waited for it to move back to land.

When the antelope found itself alone on shore, it turned to its last line of defense – its long horns – and charged straight at the lioness in a desperate attempt to fend off an attack. The lioness, sensing the threat posed by these horns, eventually backed down and left.

Nyala antelopes are native herbivores that weigh between 55-140 kg and have horns that can grow up to 83 cm long. They are prey for lions, leopards, crocodiles, and other predators in their natural habitat. This remarkable encounter highlights just how dangerous life can be for prey animals in their struggle for survival in their environment.