Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – Are you ready to put yourself in front of the king of the jungle to document a dramatic scene? Although many people may refrain from doing this, that is exactly what veteran wildlife photographer, Evan Aukerman, has done.
In April this year, Aukerman, who is from South Africa, was leading a group of guests on a photographic safari experience in Zambia.
The photographer said in an interview with the CNN Arabic website: “The trees are so dense that they form jungles, and impala antelopes love the short grasses in the forests,” adding: “I know that it is a good place to show the beautiful scenes to my guests, and teach them about leopards and lions. And because I have studied the movements of these Animals, I know how to find them quickly so we can photograph them in the best light.”
After tracking the lion’s footprints for hours, Aukerman came across a wild moment of the predator, with the lifeless carcass of an antelope dangling from its mouth.
Aukerman said: “The hard work paid off when I found him… I put myself between him and the morning light, and waited for the right moment to photograph the experience.”
The photographer saw that the way the impala’s tongue hung down and the grass on its horns “embodied the daily struggle between predators and prey,” explaining that he was “lucky” to see such a dramatic scene.
Aukerman’s love for wildlife was the main reason he became a wildlife photographer, as he still remembers the days when his mother would take him by car in search of animals.
Aukerman shares his passion on his Instagram page, and since he posted the video of the majestic lion, the scene has received more than 4.9 million views.
