Dylan Jacobson submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on a game drive at Mjejane Private Game Reserve in South Africa.
From a cloud of dust
As Dylan’s short video starts, a cloud of dust alerts us to the action. In the haze, we can make out two lions, a male and a female, although a second male was also present.
Lions are Africa’s largest predators and the only large, social cat. From this, we surmise that the trio had been hunting when pandemonium broke out.
Watch the sighting:
Next deduction
Seconds later, one of the males runs out of the dust cloud with something hanging from his mouth. As he does, a piercing squeal breaks the silence.
Consequently, we deduce that the lion has caught a young warthog. And, from the dust cloud, we gather that the lions may have dug the unfortunate pig out of its burrow.
Lion maths
As the big cat runs from his pride mates, it’s not hard to work out the ‘lion maths’ that led to his flight. For cats this big, a baby warthog is a mere snack, and this guy is not in the mood to share.
Male lions often gorge themselves on meat. Some estimates suggest they can consume up to 40 kilograms in one sitting.
When we consider that the meat yield from an adult hog is only around 35 kilograms, his thinking quickly makes sense. He’s hardly about to ‘pig out’.
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Silence of the ham
Having escaped his compatriots, the lion has another problem he must deal with. The warthogs’ squealing is an alarm call that is sure to attract the attention of other predators.
That aside, it can’t be pleasant having the high-pitched racket screeching when all you want to do is enjoy a quiet ‘hog d’oeuvre’ under a shady bush.
As a result, the lion pauses as he lowers the pig to the ground. Then, with one swift and powerful bite, he drives his four 8-centimetre canines into the piglet’s skull.
In an instant, the squealing stops, replaced by the nervous laughter of the spectators. Then, as the lion stands once more, we see the pig’s leg twitching as its life force fades to nothing.
Dinner is served
After stealing the hog and killing it, the lion needs only to find a quiet place to enjoy his meal.
As he turns to go, we see the massive size difference between predator and prey. Male lions weigh between 330-570 lbs (150-260 kg), second only to tigers in the cat family.
As you would imagine, they are immensely powerful creatures, capable of single-handedly bringing down large prey, including giraffe and Cape buffalo.
Young male lions are evicted from their natal prides when they reach sexual maturity. Occasionally, they form alliances with other young males.
They must then survive to full maturity, at which point, they will attempt to secure a territory and acceptance from the females therein.
They may service two or three prides, moving among them and providing protection from intruding males and other threats.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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