Thrilling footage has captured the moment three fearsome predators fight for fresh impala meat – on a golf course in South Africa.
Skukuza Golf Club, located in the famous Kruger National Park, played host to a scene of wildlife anarchy as antelope were eaten alive before a fierce battle for their protein.
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Golfers dining on the deck after dark call it a day’s game, watching an impala graze silently on the green.
It was a peaceful scene until a pair of lionesses chasing the unsuspecting antelope attacked.
Greenkeeper Jean Rossouw, 33, said: “Suddenly there was a huge growl and commotion as the two lionesses came out of nowhere and caught the impala right in front of our customers.”
But as the hungry lionesses attacked the impala, the pandemonium attracted the attention of scarier visitors.
A pack of four hyenas soon appeared in an attempt to collect some leftovers.
The lionesses were barely bothered – until a huge crocodile suddenly invaded the lawn to take a bite of the meat.
Jean said: “They (the lionesses) began to tear him (the impala) apart and eat him and, attracted by the noise, four hyenas quickly came who wanted to invade the dinner gate.
“And it attracted the attention of a very large crocodile.
“We had about 25 golfers and guests stop by to eat in our new The Grill Room, but they were more interested in the impromptu feed on the 18th hole than dinner!
“The lionesses were stuffed into the impala and weren’t bothered by the attentions of the four hungry hyenas, but when a 12-foot crocodile emerged, it was a different game.
“The lionesses grabbed what was left and ran away with it.”
However, there was still a large chunk of meat left.
The crocodile was approaching quickly, but a fearless hyena “arrived first and ran away with it”, explained Jean.
He added: “”There was still enough left for the crocodile to take a few good gulps of and when he returned to the lake the three remaining hyenas cleaned up what was left.”
The incredible moment was captured on video by club captain Gavin Goldman and another guest and posted to the club’s Facebook page, where it quickly went viral.
Skukuza is known for attracting wildlife action, with no fences around the fairways meaning it is an open game for golfers and predators alike.
The nine-hole, 18-tee course made headlines two years ago when two lionesses killed a giraffe on hole three.
Greenkeeper Jean had to rent a truck with a crane to remove the giraffe’s partially eaten carcass from the course in the morning so golfers could play amid the carnage.
Jean said: “This is known as the wildest golf course in the world and the first thing I do every day is drive the fairways and greens to ensure night kills and predators are eliminated.”
No club member or tourist is allowed on the field without signing an indemnity that the club cannot be held responsible for them being eaten alive during the game.
The club currently has 200 members who pay £110 per year plus £8 per round.
A tourist would pay £30 per lap, plus £30 for a buggy, which helps keep them safe on the route.
The 5,831 meter route opened in 1972. Initially it was for employees working in the Kruger National Park, but later welcomed tourists.
The only restriction that South African National Parks places on the golf club is that they cannot fence anything off of it so that wildlife, including man-eating lions, have free movement.
Buffaloes, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, lions, rhinos, warts and hyenas are regulars, along with giraffes, antelopes, vultures and deadly cobras.
Golfer Stefan Eriksson said on the club’s Facebook page: “You should give the lions a pitchfork and tell them to fix the green when they’re done eating! They have no manners!
British expat Michael Bowler, 52, from Cape Town, said: “I’ve played there six times and you never know what you’re going to see – and I’ve seen all kinds of wildlife there.
“The rule of thumb is to take a bunch of golf balls to Skukuza because if you get them right you won’t want to go looking for them and the lakes are full of crocodiles!
“The beauty of it is that no two rounds are ever the same at Skukuza and you never know what’s in the next fairway. The baboons even run out and steal your balls and flags!”
Despite the many dangers to wildlife on the golf course, no golfers were killed or injured.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
