Think YOU'RE having a bad day? Wildebeest calf swims for its life chased by crocodiles.. only to be ambushed by a hungry lion after it reached the river bank in Kenya

This is the moment a wildebeest calf swam for its life while being chased by crocodiles only to be ambushed by a hungry lion once it reached the river bank.

The calf, thought to be around eight months old, was filmed taking part in the dramatic chase in the Mara River in Kenya during the migration season.

It is unclear how the youngster had become separated from its herd.

In a nail-biting chase, the calf made his way across the river with three crocodiles snapping at his heels – only to be ambushed by a waiting lioness once it reached the shore.

The clever creature chose to cross the river in relatively shallow water, meaning it could run over the rocks rather than swim, giving him an advantage over the crocodiles.

However, immediately after the wildebeest safely made it to dry land, it was faced with another dangerous threat.

A waiting lion approached from ahead, forcing the wildebeest into a quick evasive manoeuvre up the bank and onto flat ground with the sudden ambush.

Another terrifying race for its life began, with the lion quickly gaining on its helpless prey.

During the Great Migration, which typically occurs at the end of the rainy season from July to late September, thousands of wildebeest and zebras travel from Serengeti in Tanzania towards the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya.

Things were looking good for the wildebeest as it approached the shore away from the crocodiles - which are one of the biggest threats animals face during the Great Migration each year — Things were looking good for the wildebeest as it approached the shore away from the crocodiles – which are one of the biggest threats animals face during the Great Migration each year

After cleverly crossing through shallow water to gain extra speed, the wildebeest enjoyed a few seconds of triumph as he made it to shore

A waiting lion approached from ahead, forcing the wildebeest into a quick evasive manoeuvre up the bank — This is the shocking moment a wildebeest was ambushed by a lion, moments after escaping from crocodiles on the Mara River along the Kenya-Tanzanian border

The lion appeared to gain on the young calf, who seemed to have been separated from the rest of the herd

With up to 1.5 million wildebeest travelling each year, the spectacle is considered to be one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Natural World’.

The biggest dangers of the journey include crossing rivers infested by giant Nile crocodiles.

Wildebeest are members of the antelope family. They can grow up to eight feet in length.

They often graze in mixed herds with zebra, which helps both species keep an eye out for predators.

Wildebeest can live for more than 40 years – although their average lifespan is closer to 20.

This article by Eleanor Dye was first published by The Daily Mail on 30 July 2023. Lead Image: In a nail-biting chase in Kenya, a wildebeest calf made his way across the river with three crocodiles snapping at his heels

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