National Geographic: Last Feast of the Crocodiles Page #4

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This is the reason she has remained

in the pool so long.

She would never desert her young...

she is their only protection.

But between predators

and the thick mud,

there is no chance

for the little crocs.

And all will die

within an hour.

Back in the big pool crocodiles writhe

and heave over another carcass.

And once again,

hippos are amidst the frenzy.

There's nothing for them to eat,

yet something attracts them here.

With jaws clamped tight on the carcass,

the croc spins until a piece breaks off.

The hippos seems content

to gently interrupt the spinning crocs

from time to time.

But no one knows why

they attend these terrible feasts.

For nine months little rain has fallen.

And the animals risk death for water.

The hippos calm is disturbed

by the violent arrival of

the croc's latest victim.

For this one there will be

no lucky escape.

The baby hippo is already wedged

deep among crocs

close to the impala carcass

and the biggest crocs in the pool.

The mother then does a strange thing.

Rousing herself

to investigate the scene,

she pushes her baby

almost on the impala,

and then retreats leaving her calf

between these jaws and the meal.

The mother's presence is enough

to ensure her safety...

Though the baby seems less certain.

But the mother knows

they wouldn't dare,

and she drifts back on top the secure

slumbers of the strong.

The pool has become so dangerous

that most animals prefer

to drink from the pits...

But a fierce comedy of survival results

when so many are desperate for water.

Large make baboons commandeer the pits

and drink every mouthful of

water that seeps in.

They can scare off most animals,

but sharp horns have the advantage and

the baboon reluctantly gives way.

Competition at the pits is so fierce

that those that can't cope with

a big baboon

have to take their chances

at the pool.

A nursing mother must have water,

but she takes a terrible risk

to get it.

The mother has torn herself free...

But the baboons can see that

another croc has her baby.

The croc will lose its prize to the

others unless it leaves the pool.

But when it does a big baboon

is waiting.

The croc drops the baby.

But the brave rescue is too late.

The drought continues.

It has become the worst

in living memory.

The pool has dwindled to a mud wallow

and many of the hippos have left

on a final quest for water.

But for an increasing crowd of animals

their only chance of salvation

lies here.

For the plovers, no eggs have survived

these cruel and chaotic conditions.

Every day an assemble of desperate

animals gathers around the pool.

These baboons,

who are seldom peaceable,

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