Four spotted hyenas wanted their meal back.
There was just one problem.
A massive Nile crocodile had already claimed it.
Along the banks of the Letaba River in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, a large crocodile was feeding on a carcass while four hyenas watched from nearby. Instead of giving up, the hyenas began looking for a way to take the food back.
One of them eventually approached from behind and grabbed the crocodile’s tail.
Then it pulled.
And pulled.
But moving a giant crocodile turned out to be much harder than the hyena expected.
The remarkable encounter was filmed by Johan Rothmann and submitted to Latest Sightings. The footage also shows two marabou storks and a hooded vulture waiting nearby for whatever scraps remained.
A Crocodile Has Taken the Carcass
The scene begins with several scavengers gathered beside the Letaba River.
A large Nile crocodile is feeding on an unidentified carcass.
Four spotted hyenas are standing nearby.
The hyenas clearly want the food.
According to the original report, it seems possible that the hyenas had killed the prey before the crocodile arrived and took over the carcass. However, nobody witnessed what happened before the recording began, so that part cannot be confirmed.
Whatever happened, the result was obvious.
The crocodile had the meal.
The hyenas wanted it.
The Hyenas Keep Their Distance
The hyenas did not immediately rush toward the crocodile.
That was probably a wise decision.
A large crocodile’s head is an extremely dangerous place to approach.
Its jaws can snap shut with tremendous force, and a hyena getting too close could suffer a serious injury.
Instead, the hyenas watched the crocodile carefully.
They seemed to be searching for another way to interfere with the reptile.
Eventually, one hyena found an idea.
The First Attack Is on the Tail
Rather than approaching the crocodile’s head, one hyena slowly moved toward the rear.
Its target was the tail.
The hyena cautiously approached and nipped the tip of the crocodile’s tail.
The crocodile responded by sweeping its heavy tail away.
But it did not abandon the carcass.
The hyena backed off.
For the moment, the crocodile had won.
Another Hyena Tries Something Bolder
The first attempt appeared to give another hyena an idea.
This time, the hyena approached the crocodile’s tail with a much more ambitious plan.
It grabbed the tail in its jaws.
Then it pulled.
The hyena used its powerful neck and shoulder muscles and managed to lift the crocodile’s tail from the ground.
For a moment, the scene looked almost like an enormous tug-of-war.
Could four hyenas actually move the crocodile?
The answer quickly became clear.
The Crocodile Swings Its Tail
The crocodile reacted.
Its heavy tail swept across the ground, forcing the hyena to release its grip.
The crocodile remained beside the carcass.
The hyena had managed to lift the tail, but it had not moved the crocodile away from its food.
The other hyenas appeared excited by what had happened, raising their tails as they watched the confrontation.
But the crocodile was still in control.
Why the Hyenas Avoid the Head
The behavior of the hyenas is particularly interesting.
They repeatedly approached the crocodile from behind instead of confronting it directly.
That suggests they recognized the danger posed by the reptile’s jaws.
A spotted hyena has exceptionally powerful jaws itself, but it would be risky for one to place its head anywhere near a crocodile’s mouth.
The tail offered a different opportunity.
The hyenas could grab it and pull without immediately placing themselves directly between the crocodile’s jaws.
It was still dangerous—but potentially less dangerous than a frontal confrontation.
The Hyena Tries Again
The hyena was not ready to give up.
It approached the tail again.
Once more, it grabbed the crocodile.
Once more, it pulled.
This time, it appeared to put even more strength into the attempt.
The tail lifted.
The hyena pulled backward.
But the crocodile remained firmly planted.
Then the crocodile swept its tail again.
The hyena lost its grip.
A Crocodile Is Built for This
The crocodile had several advantages.
Its body was extremely heavy.
Its legs were positioned close to the ground.
Its thick scales provided protection.
And its muscular tail was capable of generating considerable force.
The hyena could bite the tail.
It could lift it.
It could pull it.
But the entire crocodile was another matter.
The hyena was trying to move an animal that was perfectly capable of resisting.
The Crocodile’s Body Is Well Protected
Crocodile skin is not simply a soft surface.
Large areas of the body are covered with thick scales and reinforced structures that provide protection.
That matters when another predator tries to bite or grab the animal.
Latest Sightings specifically notes that the crocodile’s thick scales provide considerable protection, even against the powerful jaws of a spotted hyena.
The hyenas therefore had another problem.
Even if they managed to bite the crocodile, causing meaningful damage would be difficult.
The Hyenas Are Powerful Predators Too
It would be a mistake to think of the hyenas as weak animals simply because they were struggling against the crocodile.
Spotted hyenas are powerful predators and scavengers.
Their jaws are adapted for crushing and processing tough food, including bones.
They also live in social groups and can cooperate when competing for food.
Four hyenas working together can be a serious challenge for many animals.
But the crocodile was an unusually difficult opponent.
A Strange Tug-of-War
The footage almost looks like a wildlife version of a tug-of-war.
One side has four hyenas.
The other has one enormous crocodile.
The hyenas grab the tail.
The crocodile pulls it away.
The hyenas try again.
The crocodile keeps its position.
The difference is that this is not a game.
A single mistake could result in a serious injury for one of the hyenas.
The Crocodile Feels the Bites
The crocodile may look almost motionless at times, but it was clearly aware of what was happening.
Crocodiles have sensitive nerve endings across their bodies.
When the hyena approached and grabbed the tail, the crocodile reacted defensively by sweeping its tail toward the attacker.
That reaction was enough to keep the hyena from maintaining its grip.
The crocodile did not need to chase the hyena.
It simply needed to protect its position.
Four Hyenas Against One Crocodile
The numbers seem impressive.
Four hyenas against one crocodile should theoretically give the mammals an advantage.
But numbers become less useful when the attackers cannot safely approach the opponent.
Only one or two hyenas could realistically interact with the crocodile’s tail at a time.
The others had to watch.
If the crocodile suddenly turned its head, the entire situation could become much more dangerous.
The Other Scavengers Are Waiting
While the hyenas and crocodile were fighting over the carcass, other scavengers were nearby.
Two marabou storks and a hooded vulture were waiting for scraps.
They were not interested in joining the confrontation.
They simply waited.
That is another fascinating part of African wildlife.
A carcass can attract multiple species, each with a different strategy.
The biggest animal may feed first, while smaller scavengers wait for an opportunity.
The Letaba River Creates the Perfect Setting
The encounter took place beside the Letaba River in Kruger National Park.
Rivers attract large numbers of animals because water is essential for survival.
They also create meeting points between predators, herbivores and scavengers.
A carcass near a river can therefore become a magnet for wildlife.
That is exactly what happened here.
The Hyenas May Have Lost Their Own Meal
If the original report’s interpretation is correct, the hyenas may have been trying to recover prey they had killed themselves.
Imagine spending the effort to bring down prey, only to have a huge crocodile arrive and take the meal.
That would explain why the hyenas were so persistent.
But because the kill itself was not witnessed, it is important to treat that explanation as a possibility rather than a confirmed fact.
The Crocodile Has No Reason to Leave
From the crocodile’s perspective, there was little reason to abandon the carcass.
It had already secured the food.
The hyenas were dangerous, but they were also reluctant to approach its head.
As long as the crocodile could keep the hyenas away, it could continue feeding.
So the reptile adopted a simple strategy.
Stay close.
Defend the food.
Use the tail when necessary.
The Hyena Lifts the Tail Again
The most entertaining part of the encounter happens when the hyena tries the same tactic again.
It bites the tail.
It lifts it.
It pulls backward.
For a moment, the crocodile’s tail rises off the ground.
But the crocodile’s body remains exactly where it is.
The hyena simply cannot generate enough force to drag the entire reptile away.
The crocodile eventually pulls its tail free again.
Persistence Does Not Always Pay Off
The hyena keeps trying.
But every attempt produces the same result.
It grabs.
It pulls.
The crocodile reacts.
The tail comes free.
The carcass stays where it is.
This is a good example of why persistence alone does not guarantee success in the wild.
Sometimes an animal can keep trying the same strategy without changing the outcome.
Why the Hyenas Don’t Simply Attack Together
A coordinated attack might seem like the obvious solution.
But attacking a crocodile is much more complicated than chasing an antelope.
The hyenas would have to get close enough to bite it while avoiding its jaws.
The crocodile’s body is also difficult to grip because of its scales and shape.
And the closer the hyenas get, the greater the risk of a sudden defensive movement.
The reward—the carcass—may simply not be worth the injury risk.
A Battle Over Food, Not Territory
This was not a territorial battle between the two species.
The conflict centered on food.
The crocodile wanted to keep eating.
The hyenas wanted access to the carcass.
That distinction matters because animals often tolerate other species until an important resource becomes involved.
Food can change everything.
A peaceful scene can quickly become competitive when several predators want the same meal.
The Crocodile Eventually Holds Its Ground
By the end of the footage, the hyenas have not succeeded in reclaiming the carcass.
They tried multiple approaches.
They tested the crocodile’s reaction.
They grabbed the tail.
They pulled repeatedly.
But the crocodile continued feeding.
The original Latest Sightings report concludes that the hyenas were no closer to reclaiming their meal when the video ended.
What This Encounter Tells Us About Hyenas
The encounter shows several characteristics associated with spotted hyenas.
They are persistent.
They are opportunistic.
They can work around one another.
And they are willing to investigate a dangerous competitor when there is a valuable food reward involved.
But they are not reckless.
The hyenas repeatedly avoided the crocodile’s head.
That suggests they understood that there was a serious risk in getting too close.
What It Tells Us About Crocodiles
The crocodile demonstrates a completely different strategy.
It does not need to chase the hyenas.
It does not need to overpower all four simultaneously.
It simply needs to hold onto the carcass and prevent the hyenas from getting close enough to take it.
Its enormous body, protective scales and powerful tail make that possible.
The crocodile’s patience becomes its advantage.
The Wild Has No Guaranteed Ownership
One of the most fascinating aspects of scavenging is that ownership of food is temporary.
A predator can make a kill and lose it.
A scavenger can discover food and have it stolen.
Another predator can arrive and take advantage of the situation.
There is no referee deciding who deserves the carcass.
Animals have to defend what they have—or decide that defending it is too dangerous.
The Hyenas Eventually Face a Choice
At some point, the hyenas have to decide whether the carcass is worth the risk.
They can continue attacking the crocodile’s tail.
Or they can wait for another opportunity.
Or they can leave and search for another meal.
The video ends before we know exactly what the hyenas ultimately decide.
But one thing is clear.
The crocodile is not giving the carcass back easily.
A Remarkable African Wildlife Encounter
The scene beside the Letaba River is a perfect example of why African wildlife can be so unpredictable.
A carcass appears.
Hyenas gather.
A crocodile arrives.
Other scavengers wait.
Then a strange confrontation develops in which a hyena literally tries to pull a giant crocodile by its tail.
It sounds almost impossible until you see the footage.
Other Wildlife Encounters on KHXYZ
This encounter fits naturally with other KHXYZ stories involving animals competing over food or suddenly finding themselves in danger.
In Hidden Crocodile Bites at Leopard From Below, a leopard approaching a dead hippo suddenly discovered that a crocodile was waiting beneath the water.
In Hippo Comes to Rescue Baby Waterbuck from Crocodile, a young waterbuck was attacked by a crocodile before an approaching hippo changed the encounter.
And in Young Leopard Takes on a Porcupine and Gets a Prickly Surprise, a predator discovered that even a smaller animal could make a meal extremely difficult to obtain.
Each encounter shows that food in the wild can create some of the most unexpected conflicts.
Watch the Original Video
You can watch the original “Hyenas Try Pull Monster Crocodile by His Tail” footage on YouTube.
The footage was filmed by Johan Rothmann on the banks of the Letaba River in Kruger National Park and was published by Latest Sightings on May 2, 2026.
Final Thoughts
Four spotted hyenas had a problem.
They wanted a carcass.
A huge crocodile had it.
Instead of giving up, the hyenas repeatedly tested the reptile. They approached from behind, nipped its tail, grabbed it and even tried pulling the enormous animal away from its food.
But the crocodile was simply too heavy.
Its thick scales provided protection, while its powerful tail allowed it to repeatedly sweep the hyenas away.
The hyenas had numbers and powerful jaws, but the crocodile had the perfect defensive position.
In the end, the strange tug-of-war never produced the result the hyenas wanted.
The crocodile kept its meal.
The hyenas kept trying.
And the footage captured one of those rare moments when two very different African predators found themselves competing for exactly the same piece of food.
