Murder on the Mara
Previous Chapter: 'Look and Learn' here
On returning to the Mara, there before us; another crossing! A crossing that was to prove be a challenge both to the prey and to the predator.
There was a good mix of huge numbers of prey (wildebeest and zebra) making the attempt at crossing this dangerous river.
This river that gives life.
This river that takes life.
The stampede was now in full flow, with beasts running amok as fast as they could.
All seemed to be going well, apart from the odd cussing and swearing, when suddenly...
The kraken woke.
Out of the turgid depths, an enormous monster leaps. Intent on a kill.
It had gripped its jaws tightly around the wildebeests back leg. An unbreakable grip. A death grip.
The monster was dragging the beast down into its domain.
And then, the beast was gone. Submerged. Dragged underwater where it would take its last breathe.
Never to be seen again.
Never to breath again.
The herd rushed past his vacated spot...
WAIT!! WHAT!!
The beast had kicked and spasmed and forced itself free of the jaws of death! And was out of the water! It had survived! A song was called for!
The whole herd was now in super-panic mode. There was a giant crocodile loose amongst them! Death was amongst them!
Kick! Run! Splash! Run!
This croc was not a happy croc. It was mad. Its dinner had gotten away. The meal it had waited for over twelve months had broken free. It was hungry. It had to eat. It had to kill.
It headed straight for the middle of the charging torrent of maddened meat and stomping hooves.
There was chaos all around! The croc's jaws snapped again!
It missed. But it was still there. Death still amongst them. Just below the surface.
The zebra charged forward! The croc was buried under a mass of slamming hooves!
It surfaced again, battered but not beaten. It made for another wildebeest!
That one!
The beast dodged and the croc missed!
It tried another!
Got it!
No! This croc was struggling to catch its prey.
But it wasn't giving up.
Again it tried!
And again!
This time!
The jaws snapped shut! Missed!
Then opened again!
Success!
But no! It's prey had slipped its grip.
He tried again!
And missed again.
And now. One final chance. One slow wildebeest separated out. Left behind.
It's just you and me kiddo.
Just you and me...
The wildebeest was hurt, lame and exhausted. It dragged itself painfully towards the safety of the river's bank.
A scavenger waited in hope.
But the crocodile was also exhausted.
The wildebeest dragged itself the final meter out of the deadly water.
And he got there! In total disbelief.
Last gnu standing.
No comments:
Post a Comment