21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Strange Dinner Companions

I watched a lioness lurk in the bushes while crocodiles fed on a wildebeest that she had killed. When several of the crocs finally left the scene, the lioness warily returned to the carcass. She could have fought the remaining croc, and the croc could have fought her, but in both cases, there would be considerable risk of injury. So, they reached a kind of détente, both feeding on the carcass. Habitat loss and poaching continue to threaten these incredible cats, which are now classified as a vulnerable species. This image was captured in June of 2023 in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Kwa Mhinda, Tanzania
Camera: Canon EOS R3
Copyright: © Nathan Myhrvold