Lions are one of the top predators that tourists can see on safari, and elephants are the largest land animal on the planet. Both of them are incredible animals that don’t come into conflict as much as one might expect.
Adult elephants are just too big and strong for lions and other predators to hunt when there are other prey animals around, but that doesn’t mean that lions won’t have a go under exceptional circumstances.
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Samuel Chevallier, a 28-year-old filmmaker with the African Bush Camps film team, caught these exceptional circumstances on camera while in the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.
Immediate Escalation
Samuel and his group were staying at the Somalisa Camp, and one morning they went on a drive searching for a lioness and her cubs that they’d spotted the previous evening.
Luckily the lioness and her cubs were still in the area, but Samuel and the rest of his group had no idea what they were about to see. He told Latest Sightings that “after some time, the mother headed into the thicket”.
After the lioness crept into the bush nearby, they all heard the screaming of an animal in distress, and it shocked them to realize it was a young elephant under attack.
Bringing Down A Goliath
It’s always easier for predators to target younger prey, or animals that are already injured. This is even more important for elephants, as the size and strength of fully grown adults makes them extremely difficult prey.
Elephants are also very protective of members of their herd, and they have a tightly knit social structure. Finding a young elephant isolated from the rest of its herd is a rare opportunity, but it’s still no easy target for a lone lioness.
Although she managed to instantly get on its back, and dig her claws deep into the elephant’s sides and face, the lioness just didn’t have the weight or strength to drag the elephant to the ground, and it was starting to fight back.
A Desperate Fight
The lioness needed food for her cubs, and this elephant would make a good source of food for a long time, due to its size. The elephant, though, was young and strong and fighting for its very life.
It shook its head from side to side to try and dislodge the big cat, but the lion’s claws were deep in its tough skin, and she wasn’t going to let go so easily.
As the fight continued, the lioness ended up hanging onto the poor elephant’s face, still desperately attacking and trying to bring it down, while the huge elephant tried to throw its attacker off so that it could flee.
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A Timely Escape
Despite the lioness’s best efforts, the elephant’s strength eventually proved to be superior. The big cat was cast to one side and before she could attack again the elephant had fled through the bush, likely to find and rejoin the rest of its herd.
Samuel described the sighting as a difficult one, as it’s “never easy hearing the sound of a screeching animal fighting to survive”, but “witnessing the hunger of the cubs as they waited” elicited conflicting emotions.
He did also say that his advice “to onlookers in the wild, is to be careful, engage in the moment and note on the behaviour of a lion/lioness before they attack”.
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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