Male Lions Tackle Raging River

Witness the raw power of nature as three male lions are swept downstream by a torrential river. Despite their formidable strength, they are no match for the powerful current.
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Standing on the riverbank, three male lions of the Sonkai Tribe gaze at the tumultuous waters roaring at them. Needing to cross, their tension is palpable as they anxiously wait for the right moment to swim. Unfortunately, there is no end to the mighty force ahead.
Game ranger Richard Mututua captured this dramatic scene in the Masai Mara National Reserve, as he and his guests watched with bated breath.
The Rongai River can experience significant flooding, especially during the rainy seasons. These floods create strong currents, changing the landscape and causing problems for both wildlife and people.
Filled with trepidation, the lions summon their courage and plunge into the water one after the other. Within seconds, the first two lions are swept tens of meters down the river. The third lion hesitates and holds back to the safety of the riverbank.
African lions are not known for their swimming abilities. Generally avoiding water whenever possible, they only swim when necessary, such as crossing rivers or during floods. Their strong muscles and powerful build enable them to manage short swims. However, swimming is not a natural or preferred activity for them.
The leading lion appears to be a stronger swimmer, while his companion behind him is carried much further downriver, his fate uncertain.
Finally, onlookers can breathe a sigh of relief! The first lion manages to grab onto a rock and pull himself onto the opposite bank. Soaking wet, he stands triumphantly, having braved the treacherous waters and emerged unscathed on the other side.
A happy ending unfolds as the second lion appears from the left, having been pushed much further downstream. Cold and miserable, the lions look back at the last male still on the original side, offering encouragement or warning him to stay dry and save himself!
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[@jmacosta]

The good thing about those rivers is that they're mostly water (little debris to be concerned about), and animals understand that all they have to do is to keep their cool and keep swimming in one direction. Ending up a few meters down the river is totally expected. Just makes you appreciate how intelligent they are.

[@outofturn331]

Thing is most cats hate water

[@NobodyUR]

@@outofturn331most cats if your only point of reference is a domestic house cat…. Ok but hardly relevant for most large species of undomesticated “cats”

[@outofturn331]

@@NobodyUR get better soon

[@ZC.Andrew]

​@NobodyUR Most big cats dislike water too, including lions. To be fair, they have a good reason for disliking water: crocodiles and hippos. Having said that, my housecat actually enjoys water. Some cats are built different.

[@michaelchaleff4986]

Of the big cats, jaguars and tigers mostly love water

[@mrquackadoodlemoo]

Third lion must have been like "Well, my brothers just died. Oh hey, they made it :D"

[@johnsolberg5611]

The other two were like come on p****😅

[@Young_Dab]

Not even raging waters can stop these fearsome beasts! Such fierce commitment!

[@MsLB-lm9mu]

You're right!!

[@theguy3129]

damn right..

[@meghanav9109]

Yeah absolutely 💯😮

[@jawadsaleemmayozadagoodste2095]

ہ😊😮 ط ئطمللپم ک​@@MsLB-lm9mu

[@user-wd7jt8kt2f]

The bravery of lions is legendary but this was rather foolhardy on their part, was very relieved to see them make it 🦁

[@ProtectOurBigCats]

The first lion looked at the third lion from the opposite shore and said "bro, why are you still there?"

[@bethb8276]

I was actually not going to watch this because I was worried that the lions would be really washed away, and that would depress me. But I love lions and took a chance. I'm relieved they were fine!

[@leonietaylor7054]

I dont care cuz they eat humans.I am vegan

[@swmita]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the 3rd lion tried it too. Unfortunately he didn't make it.

[@genevievecampbell6279]

I saw that as well ​@@swmita

[@adedayoadeyefa2010]

Excellent swimmers. They understood the waves!

[@PAVEL-JAKL]

Im glad they all made it..🦁

[@CharlesBetancourt-iq9oe]

Most humans are too ignorant to calculate like this.

[@theguy3129]

same here

[@johnsolberg5611]

The third lion ? Please tell us

[@Te-nl2cf]

3rd one chicken out😂

[@Wolfgonbuaf]

The third lion had strong anxiety

[@arkantochiron]

Legend has it that the third lion is still waiting to cross the river.

[@israelajala496]

Third lion was like “nah I’m good”

[@Lo0se369]

😂🤣😂🤣🤣😂Rite he turned around instantly

[@orlandowilliamson691]

Bro was cool😂😂

[@Mr-ms2qo]

🤦‍♂️Third lion pooC

[@colinpierre2048]

Lmbo. So true. He wanted no parts of it

[@kingisrael1532]

I will see you guys down stream👈🏽🦁😆

[@TheMasri2011]

Courage is what makes you the king.

[@edwardwhite7731]

Got to be super strong to swim those powerful waves

[@sansankyimg-hg6rs]

The king of the forest who can defy the river👍💪🦁🦁❤

[@vaughn1804]

Damn.. like a boss!

[@benarcher8060]

Lions heart for a reason 😊

[@tamaramorton8812]

Pretty amazing that they were able to do that. That was some rushing water! Their legs must be really strong.

[@ForeverCosmic3]

OMG That scared me for a moment, Glad they made it across safe & sound, Not sure about the third one 😕

[@imperialkingdom4821]

Bellissimo ,bravo ...Bueno ,Very good ,well done ..Kings 🦁🦁🦁

[@shrinivaskulkarni9657]

Such a commitment to being 'fierce' !!

[@pridefalcon]

They are really brave, thats why they are called LIONS

[@GrafRamolo]

That the most f up logic I ever heard.

[@theguy3129]

More like They're called lions because they're really brave..

[@TheFk8]

More like that’s nothing to do with it

[@julia2k8]

​@@theguy3129you basically just said the same thing as op 😂

[@zainmudassir2964]

Pride of Performance

[@asabifatosin1150]

Good one!

[@stevenfoote19]

They both made it! 🎉🎉🎉

[@saraswatkin9226]

I love the way the first and third lion did their risk assessment before they made their decision.

[@themufasausa]

They are so courageous. 2 lions are ready to cross the river like heroes overcoming the flood to save people 🥰❤

[@cossiethomas791]

Gives you some idea about the strength of these beautiful animals . Great footage.

[@Montario226]

1:05 Lion goes "what are you looking at?" 🤣

[@Akira-888]

Smart to cross here where crocs can't possibly secure any prey.

[@jackluminous6024]

Them ain't no kitty cats. 🐾

[@JohnDoe-tv4zf]

They really should be wearing life jackets

[@outofturn331]

They were wearing huge balls

[@tanksouth]

You’re such a bully.

[@aquaman199]

K 🙄

[@FatherManus]

That’s a great idea! Why don’t you head to the savannah and start telling the lions that? I’m sure the lions would show their gratitude for such a kind gesture!

[@JohnDoe-tv4zf]

@@FatherManus how stupid are you?

[@ToxicVaccines_HivHoax]

This was some amazing swimming capability!! Absolutely phenomenal!! 😳

[@addieleialoha4742]

Beautiful! They scoped out the situation before jumping in. There was an inate wisdom that took them to the other side. Wow! To the poster of this video thank you so much. I loved it! Hey no killing or bloodshed, maybe just a bit of tension. Will they make it or won't they? Great stuff! Stay safe now. ❤

[@CorneiliusLibowitz]

Looks like an awesome rafting river....

[@otikouche1836]

Smart lions, took advantage of the flowing river to cross to other banks easily

[@gogogg4610]

YAY they made it back!!

[@thefabricator1697]

The first Lion to cross said to the Third Lion.."C'mon Mama's waiting!!😂😂

[@babymantuck3256]

Ok, I saw 2 make it successfully, did the 3rd get swept downstream? The videographer left that to the imagination.

[@mksmar]

After crossing the river, The lion be like......Yes, we did it! Yes, we did it! Hey dude, come over to this side. It's not that tough, come over! 😅🤣

[@irisluciamonteiro3786]

Wonderful animal,,, very strong,,,❤belíssimo 💜🇧🇷

[@babaabba9348]

I wished the video never ended

[@user-ny6uo1ym9f]

AMAZING

[@camhendry]

Wow, someone should have taken some photos of this!

[@NRUTHA]

The Third Lion is Waiting for The Uber water taxi 😅😅😅

[@prashanthgokul9331]

Big cats never cease to impress with their intelligence...the calculated way in which they have selected their spot and then crossed using their power against the strong flow...beautiful natural history moment

[@Atrus999]

Intelligence? It looked pretty stupid to me. They were lucky they didn't run out of energy. The one who stayed behind was more intelligent than they were. 😂

[@Milliardo5]

​@@Atrus999You see they used the current to their advantage. They let it carry them while at the same time swimming diagonally to let them go to where they can safely get out. Humans will expend energy trying to fight current and drown in the process.

[@theguy3129]

@@Atrus999 Smarter than you clearly lmao, they used the current to their advantage and didn't force their way through the river.

[@Atrus999]

@@theguy3129 They didn't go directly against the current and drown so that makes them super geniuses, huh? Good one. 😂

[@theguy3129]

@@Atrus999 when did I ever say they were geniuses?..

[@OiganAEsta]

Here I am thinking “ayyy pobrecitos..” 😫♥️🦁

[@supercalifragilisticexpial2516]

They not eve got tired with all that river's waves and strong currents, i was scare that maybe they get drawn but that was like nothing for them they maybe use to. 👏👏👏

[@louievillanueva3463]

Third Lion: Good riddance, now this side of the river bank is my territory!

[@GDoggy-em2xc]

Plot twist: These lions were coached by Michael Phelps

[@nashbharath3731]

The second immediately follow through n crossed. The third was hesitant. The first like a warrior victoriously , it just knew when to get up...thank god 4 that...like a human , brilliant !

[@MemesBabies]

I was so sad when I read that the lion's got washed away. Thank goodness they survived. ❤️❤️❤️

[@Mellow6996]

One of the lions who crossed looked at him like back like bro you said you was right behind me wtf man!😂

[@ahad2k11]

Why is there always someone in the background taking 50,000 snapshots? Just take a video then.

[@spotwms8768]

Turn down your volume.

[@CyberCheese392]

because snapshots give higher resolution

[@underoathkarla]

Love it. Was afraid of the turnout but the best part was the lion looking back at the cameraman like "What? You thought i couldn't make that? 😏" lol

[@jayvang33]

Third lion said “Nope!” 😂

[@derekxavier220]

Fantastic creatures. I also saw a tiger jump off a boat and swim to shore.

[@outofturn331]

For the life of pi I can't make sense of this

[@Thuon_]

Seems lions are excellent swimmers

[@annasemisomberi]

Yes indeed especially from the sabi sand marshy area

[@TimothyWhiteheadzm]

That was very impressive. A typical human would have been a mile downstream before getting out on the other side.

[@MsLB-lm9mu]

Camera man never dies.

[@rmzbro2766]

The third lion just tricked other two to cross the river, so now he can rule that side of the river 😂

[@NnaemekaAmamasi]

Beasts...fearless....!!

[@anthonyh2884]

Third lion is like “bro I can’t swim but bring me back a hyena or something!” 👍🏽😆

[@JollyRancher-wk2tj]

OK. AND THE THIRD LION GAVE IT SOME THOUGHT AND RETURNED TO THE OLD STOMPING GROUNDS. AFTER BRAVING THE RIVER AND REACHING THE OTHER SIDE.... THE TWO LIONS LOOKED BACK ACROSS AT WHAT THEY HAD LEFT... BEING GRATEFUL AND MOVED ON IN THANKSGIVING FOR MAKING THIS FAR.

[@jj-uh7ck]

That's beautiful

[@lewisroberts8683]

Despite there formidable strength they were no match for the river 😂😂😂 more like due to their formidable strength they weren’t swept away and made it across the river as they intended!!!

[@mindofigor]

Rip lions. They were great before being washed away

[@RA-lu6mb]

You get the prize for the loudest camera of 2024. Seriously, the 1980s called and they want their camera back.

[@Kevin-xn5qn]

I like how they look out for each other

[@JustaNobody-j8x]

This is how lions watch Netflix and Hulu as their streaming services.

[@RayJovjov]

The constant clicking of the cameras is very annoying

[@aetreus88]

grandpa and grandma's route to school.( colorized)

[@sanjeevareddy6458]

Balls of steel ❤😂

[@405Lenny]

Great footage 👍👍

[@Barbie_All_The_Way]

Thank God they are ok

[@AnsarRizvi-ci3gv]

Great lesson

[@susanjoseph2380]

They both made it

[@lebo3793]

I guess the other side of the river is "away" 😂

[@Flokiabob311]

Nice tackle! Even made the river fumble the ball

[@illest2383]

Lol the description fooled me lol

[@MohammadshadabBagali]

Even kings can't withstand against The NATURE.😂

[@dillonventola408]

But they managed to cross 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@MohammadshadabBagali]

@@dillonventola408 🤣🤣

[@norahappolus8994]

But they did duh

[@Wazzup_Lhasa]

I guess the raging river generally does not have crocodiles.

[@Regentvoice24]

The King 👑 said I fear nothing I must get to the other side. 😂❤❤❤😊my favorite Animal.

[@sammyjjoo]

They just passed the river, didn't get 'washed away'!

[@loyaltyrich5115]

Nah they ain’t get washed away

[@theguy3129]

@edntz Why, the title is totally okay.

[@theguy3129]

@edntz the title says "Male lions Tackle Raging River" Where does it ever say "washed away"? Are you stupid or are you blind? Clearly you're the one who needs glasses..

[@theguy3129]

@edntz The title says "Male Lions Tackle Raging River". Where does it say " Washed away"?? You're the one who either never passed kindergarten or needs Glasses..

[@user-jg4oc6oh9x]

My heart was in my mouth

[@StarsForward]

"No, dude.... YOU go first!"

[@MuzhiLi]

They bravely crossed the river and landed successfully. I knew they are not that weak to be washed over!

[@rmscr7ronald]

👍 🇧🇴 Fans n1 Bolivia 🇧🇴 💯 presente aquí waoo 💯 waoo 👀😮👀😮increíble Okey 👍 saludos cordiales desde sudamerica santa cruz Bolivia 🇧🇴 excelente trabajo con el video 📹 amigo 👀 📹 👀 📹 😮👍😮😁😮😮👀

[@jaclotabo]

Never had a pool to learn swimming just hitting the same thing, At 7/8 years old was already crossing the river like these beasts in the 80s. Swim nude and keep the body cloths dry. Fun as ever!!

[@TheAmazinKloudz]

One day three lions went to a river bank to get to the other side. Two crossed over and one decided to stay behind to live another day. He didn’t pay attention in swimming class 😅

[@darrenmcritchie3635]

That's impressive just look at that water flow

[@lofiftyfifty9206]

Lesson/keep your head upstream and let the tide take you where you want to be…no fear…be the leader…step in and get it done. Admit not impediment.

[@Hanson032]

Pretty sure this is the first time I've been clickbaited by this channel, even though the title is still technically true lol

[@Janet2508]

Well done boys! 👍

[@ayantikabar0021]

They know physics and relative motion better than me 🌚👀

[@massmanpro]

First lion looked back at the camera like: "what was that shit y'all was talking about cats not like water again 🤨"

[@patriciabishop4392]

Come on lions stay where you are go father away this breaks my heart sending prayers come on guys that's right go back go back go back 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❣️❣️❣️

[@dontnonowuno9953]

Whats even crazier is at some point they communicated to each other "you know,were gonna have to cross the river.." ..3 rd lion must have missed the meeting

[@kellywilliams7318]

They are just beautiful 😍 ❤

[@greeneyes325]

Lucky for them I have seen currents like that pull Elephants down the river and we all know they have enormous strength - Mother Nature is a powerful force not to be gambled with

[@ahmedomarsis9441]

Sweet of my Africa country ❤❤❤❤❤

[@jakano80]

Lucky no crocodiles

[@gbone7581]

the croc's got washed away?

[@CAM8689]

crocs prefer calmer water

[@ConfusedLemonade-xm4nd]

Thank you❤