You think you had a rough day? All this zebra wanted was a drink of water. What he got was a sneak-attack by a couple of hungry crocodiles intent on making him their dinner. Fact: forget the circle of life — when it comes to viral animal vids you should always root for the underdog.
The video was shot in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, the same park where 2004’s eight-and-a-half-minute-long ‘Battle at Kruger’ — an epic spar between lions, a herd of buffalo, and a crocodile — was filmed. That video was uploaded to YouTube in 2007 and became a viral hit within days, eventually gaining enough attention that National Geographic purchased the television rights to it and deconstructed the action in an hour-long documentary.
These types of videos — that is, real-life predator-versus-prey action — are incredibly difficult to get. As Dereck Joubert, a National Geographic explorer in residence, told ABC back in 2008, “There is no doubt at all that the tourist who shot that scene… was unbelievably lucky. I mean, we would’ve considered ourselves lucky to have had that whole scene happen in front of us.” At the time of the interview, Joubert and his wife had already spent the previous 25 years trying to capture similar wildlife encounters.
That said, it seems that more and more of these encounters are appearing on YouTube. Possibly this is due in part to the sheer number of tourists who go on safaris and the fact that, these days, it’s easier than ever to whip out your phone, start filming, and upload the footage for all the world to see.
As for this video? We’re happy to see that the zebra was able to stick it to the crocs and make it out in one mostly-okay piece. Unfortunately, YouTube commenters don’t seem very optimistic about the zebra’s prognosis, what with the broken, bloody leg and the ruthlessness of nature and all, but hey. At least he escaped the snapping jaws of death temporarily. That’s the kind of spirit we like to see. Do not go gentle into that good night, Zebra! Rage, rage against the dying of the light!
