After following a herd of buffalo for several hours, the patience of three male lions was ultimately rewarded. When an injured cow sought comfort in a mud wallow, the brothers moved in.
Watch the video here:
This dramatic footage was sent to Latest Sightings by Kayla McClelland. She filmed the action in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
The stage is set
As Kayla told Latest Sightings, she and her guests had been following a trio of male lions as they, in turn, followed a large herd of Cape buffalo. Instead of just rushing in, the lions watched carefully for any stragglers.
Kayla said of several likely targets, the lions zeroed in on a cow with an injured leg. As the cow sought comfort in a wallow, the lions made their move.
A sticky situation
The buffalo was lying in a marshy area near a waterhole. As the lions approached, it looked for a moment as if their dislike of the mud might prove her unlikely salvation.
However, driven by hunger and a vulnerable target, the predators proceeded.
As they got closer, one of the brothers circled around the wallow, cutting off a possible escape route.
Then, as its comrade got closer, it lay down in anticipation of the final assault.
Facing futility
Meanwhile, the cow spotted the approaching cats. Initially, it looked like she was too weak to move. Or perhaps she still hoped they would ignore her…
However, when they continued getting closer, her flight instinct finally kicked in. In obvious discomfort, she rose to meet her fate.
Attack sequence activated
On seeing their target rise, one of the males rushed in. Bravely, the cow turned to meet him face-to-face.
However, her injury and the cloying mud meant that the lion could easily outflank her. In a few short steps, he got behind her and leapt on her back.
As the lion’s weight bore down on her, the already weakened buffalo soon collapsed. Seeing this, the other two males rushed in to help finish her off.
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Coup de grâce
As the lions sank their teeth and claws into the cow’s hide, she bellowed in terror. But her herd had long since moved on, and her cries fell on deaf ears.
As you’d imagine, the actual killing of a buffalo can be a long and agonising thing to witness. So perhaps it is a good thing we’re spared those final moments.
Regardless, the outcome is the same. As the video comes to an end, the three lions lie side-by-side in the mud, tucking into their meal.
Male lion coalitions
When young male lions reach sexual maturity, the pride’s dominant males evict them. If they’re lucky, they join up with other evicted males, forming coalitions.
Most often, the males are related, but there are occasions when they join with unknown males, setting aside any differences in favour of long-term survival.
United, they have a better chance of surviving until they themselves are ready to challenge for territory of their own. Statistically, males in coalitions control larger territories, feed more frequently, and sire more young.