Game ranger Richard Mututua submitted this tense video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it on the banks of the Rongai River in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.
Unavoidable obstacle
In southern Kenya, heavy rains during the two wet seasons transform numerous streams into raging torrents. For the animals of the Masai Mara, these minor obstacles become major problems if they are to roam their environment properly.
And this is exactly the situation in which the three male lions of the Sonkai Pride found themselves. The Rongai River was in spate, its swiftly flowing waters blocking their progress as they patrolled their territory.
Approach with caution
As the first two males approached the river’s edge, their trepidation was evident. While lions can swim if they must, they seem to do so reluctantly.
However, the lions would have to get wet to reach their destination. Even so, despite their power, they couldn’t afford to underestimate the force of the torrent before them.
First to go
After surveying the challenge ahead, the first male gingerly made his way down to the water’s edge…
As he was negotiating the tricky conditions, he seemed to slip, nearly plunging into the swift current.
However, he manages to regain his footing, although he remains hidden behind a lip of the bank. Seeing this, the second lion begins his approach.
Encouraged, the third lion makes to follow his pride mates. At this point, none of the three has entered the water.
Taking the plunge
Eventually, the first two lions take the plunge. The moment they enter the turbulent flow, the current sweeps them away.
Seeing this, the third lion seems to lose his nerve, watching anxiously from the safety of the shore.
Meanwhile, in the water, the first two males seem to be struggling to keep their heads above water, a fact reinforced by the nervous commentary of the onlookers.
Swept away
As the current sweeps them downstream, whether they will survive the crossing remains uncertain. For every metre they advance, the current pulls them further downriver.
Even as the first lion plants his paws on the riverbed, his companion vanishes from sight, his head briefly slipping beneath the surface.
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Safe but separated
Finally, the lead male starts to emerge from the water. For him, the risky crossing is behind him.
But what of his brothers? Now, safely ashore, he turns to check on his kin.
At this point, the second male has been swept from view, and the third remains on the opposite bank.
Safe!
Then, to everyone’s relief, the second male his spotted. Although he was swept much further down the river, he has made it across.
Bedraggled and not looking too happy, he makes his way along the riverbank to reunite with his sibling.
With two of the three safely across, the fate of the third is unknown. Unfortuately, the video ends before we find out what happened to him.
We can only hope that, like his brothers before him, he was soon across and the trio were able to continue on their way.
