HEART-RACING footage has captured the moment three fearsome predators fight over fresh impala meat – on a golf course in South Africa.
Skukuza Golf Club, located in the famous Kruger National Park, hosted a scene of wildlife anarchy as the antelope was eaten alive before a fierce battle for its protein.
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Golfers dining on the deck after nightfall put an end to the day’s play watched on as an impala quietly grazed away at the green.
It was a peaceful scene until a pair of lionesses stalking the unsuspecting antelope pounced.
Greenkeeper Jean Rossouw, 33, said: “There was suddenly a huge snarling and commotion as the two lionesses came from nowhere and took the impala right in front of our diners.”
But as the hungry lionesses teared away at the impala, the pandemonium attracted the attention of more frightening visitors.
A pack of four hyenas soon emerged in a bid to pick up some scraps.
The lionesses were barely bothered – until a huge crocodile suddenly stormed onto the green to snap into the meat.
Jean said: “They (the lionesses) began tearing it (the impala) apart and eating it and attracted by the noise quickly came four hyenas who wanted to gate-crash supper.
“And that attracted the attention of a very large crocodile.
“We had about 25 golfers and guests who had stopped over to eat at our new The Grill Room but they were more interested in the impromptu feeding on the 18th hole than their dinner!
“The lionesses got tucked into the impala and were not bothered by the attentions of the four hungry hyenas but when a 12 foot crocodile emerged that was a different ball game.
“The lionesses grabbed what was left and ran off with it.”
There was still a large chunk of meat left, however.
The crocodile was fast-approaching, but a fearless hyena “got there first and ran off with it”, Jean explained.
He added: “”There was still enough left over for the crocodile to have a few good mouthfuls and when it went back into 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 put up on the club’s Facebook page where it has quickly gone viral.
Skukuza is known for attracting wild animal action, with no fences around the fairways meaning it’s open game for golfers and predators like.
The nine-hole, 18-tee course hit the headlines two years ago when two lionesses killed a giraffe on hole three.
Greenkeeper Jean had to hire a lorry with a crane on it to lift the giraffe’s partially-eaten carcass off the fairway in the morning so that golfers could play through the carnage.
Jean said: “This is known as the world’s wildest golf course and the first thing I do each day is drive the fairways and greens to make sure overnight kills and predators are cleared.”
No club member or tourist is allowed on the course without signing an indemnity that the club cannot be held liable they are eaten alive while playing.
The club currently has 200 members who pay £110-a-year plus £8 a round.
A tourist would pay £30 a round plus £30 for a buggy which helps keep them safe out on the course.
The 5831 metre course was opened in 1972. It was initially for staff working in the Kruger National Park but later welcomed tourists.
The only restriction that the South African National Parks put on the golf club is they cannot fence any of it in so that wildlife, including man-eating lions, have free movement.
Buffalo, elephants, cheetahs, leopards, lions, rhinos and wart-hogs and hyenas are regulars along with giraffes, antelopes, vultures and deadly snakes like 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 up when they have done eating! Have they no manners!”
British ex-pat Michael Bowler, 52, of Cape Town said: “I have played there six times now and you never know what you are going to see -and I have seen all manner of wild beasts there.
“The golden rule is you take loads of golf balls with you to Skukuza because if you hit it in the rough you don’t want to go looking for it and the lakes are full of crocodiles!
“The beauty of it is that no two rounds of golf are ever the same at Skukuza and you never know what is on the next fairway. Baboons even run out and nick your balls and the flags!”
Despite the many wildlife hazards out on the golf course, no player has ever been killed or injured.
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