Battle of the reptiles – Selinda Reserve, Botswana
The water monitor looked like it was sitting on a log.
But we knew of no logs in that lagoon!
It was a peculiar site noted Alastair as we headed out for a sundowner on the Selinda Reserve for a quiet sundowner g&t. As we passed a bend on the Zibidianja Lagoon he spotted what seemed to be an upstanding log in the water. Our guides eyes become attuned to the unusual, sites that are not meant to be there – well within their subconscious awareness of the surroundings – this looked odd.
We soon realised the log was not a log but a 1 mtr long nile crocodile battling with a tiring water monitor.
For over 30 minutes the croc tried to pull the monitor down but the water was not quite deep enough and the croc too small.
We realised that the croc had already taken the front right arm off of the monitor. At that point we knew the game was up.
Finally the croc gave one last thrust and ended the inevitable outcome
It reminded us that in the stunning beauty and balance of the wilderness a constant struggle also pans out. Sad to watch as much as unique for all of us. Water monitors are responsible for eating thousands of crocodile eggs each year so might we had monitor v croc to the famous adversary battles of Lion and Hyaena?
