A lioness relaxing in the South African sun had her peace disrupted when a bull elephant suddenly charged at her, prompting her to escape swiftly.
Captured in a series of striking photos, the encounter shows the lioness fleeing just in time after noticing the approaching elephant.
British photographer and tour guide Michelle Lutener documented the intense moment during a safari drive in South Africa’s renowned Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Park.
While guiding a group of tourists, Michelle had heard from another guide that a pride of lions was spotted at a quarry in the park.
She headed there, hoping to allow her clients to see the pride in action. On arrival, however, they only saw a single lioness resting atop a hill.
As they watched, Michelle noticed a bull elephant climbing up the slope toward the lioness. Believing the elephant was in musth—a condition that increases aggression in male elephants—Michelle anticipated some confrontation.
“I repositioned the vehicle to keep us at a safe distance and warned my clients that things might get exciting,” Michelle explained. Then, in a sudden move, the bull elephant began a mock charge.
During a mock charge, elephants flap their ears and may appear to attack anything nearby. Initially, the lioness seemed unbothered, remaining on the hill. But as the elephant drew closer, she sensed the danger and quickly retreated, vanishing from view.
After the tense interaction, the elephant eventually moved in the opposite direction, allowing Michelle and her clients to return to their vantage point.
Shortly after, the lioness reappeared, climbing another hill and resuming her rest—seemingly unfazed by the dramatic interruption.
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