CNN —Two lion brothers, including one with an amputated leg, were spotted making a record-breaking night swim through treacherous waters in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. Researchers believe that the nearly mile-long (1.6-kilometer) crossing of the crocodile-infested Kazinga Channel is the longest documented swim by lions. They were likely in search of females after losing dangerous fights to another group of male lions — and to avoid humans while doing so, according to the researchers. Alex Braczkowski/Griffith UniversityAt the end of January, the team witnessed Jacob and Tibu enter into two vicious fights with other male lions within 48 hours. “There was terrific incentive to get across.”Looking out for one anotherPacker’s research has shown that when male lions stick together, they sire more cubs.

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Persons: Jacob, ”, Alex Braczkowski, Griffith University Braczkowski, Queen Elizabeth, Braczkowski, “ Jacob, ” Braczkowski, “ I’d, Orin Cornille, Bosco Atukwatse, Luke Ochse, Ochse, Tibu, Duan Biggs, Luke Ochse “, it’s, “, Craig Packer, McKnight, Packer, ” Packer, ” Jacob, ” Biggs Organizations: CNN, Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth, Park, lionesses, Griffith University’s, Planetary Health, Food Security, Griffith University, Monitoring, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Environmental Science, Northern Arizona University, Elizabeth, Lion Center, University of Minnesota, Griffith University Lions Locations: Uganda’s Queen, Australia, Ugandan, Braczkowski, Uganda, Queen