The memorable sighting was filmed by Theo-Charles Kieck in the Kruger National Park.
Lion pride approaches waterhole
A pride of lions walked across the sandy embankment area of a waterhole, seeking refreshment and possibly on the lookout for a quick meal.
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There were younger lions among them, which trotted along the sand, enjoying the open area of the riverbank.
Buffalo step out to intimidate lions
As they approached the water’s edge, it appeared some other animals had gotten their first! A herd of buffalo stood close to the water, and they turned their heads to face the approaching lions.
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With impressive horns, a single buffalo can be intimidating on the best of days. This was, however, a whole line of buffalo which now stood with their focus fixed on the lions. Each had a pair of horns.
The horns of the African buffalo are one of the animal’s most distinctive and powerful features. Both males and females grow horns, but bulls usually have much thicker and heavier ones.
In mature males, the bases of the horns fuse together across the forehead to form a solid shield called a ‘boss.’ This hard structure acts like natural armour during fights with other bulls.
Buffalo horns can spread over a metre wide in large individuals, although size varies between subspecies and regions. The horns curve outward, downward and then upward into sharp tips, creating the classic shape associated with the species.
Buffalo use their horns for defense against predators such as lions. A wounded or cornered buffalo can charge with immense force, using its horns to gore or toss attackers.
It is for this reason that lions will only approach a buffalo after calculating the risk of a confrontation.
Lions back away from buffalo
These lions, however, weren’t taking any risks and started to back off. When they failed to move fast enough, one of the buffalo bulls shook his head to side to side. The lions picked up pace; clearing a distance between themselves and the buffaloes.
One of the buffalo lowered his head and walked towards a lion, and for a moment they appeared to stand face to face. It seemed the stage had been set for an epic showdown.
However, the lion, possibly still a cub judging by its size, backed away; and collectively, the lions moved out of the way.
Keeping a distance between themselves and the buffalo herd, they lay down, possibly realising that keeping a low profile was the best way to handle the situation.
The buffalo shook their horns to further make their point and maintained their strong line of defense. If these lions wanted to get to the water, they would have to go through them!
This incredible sighting was a reminder of the dynamic interactions which exist between species by waterholes in the bushveld. Oftentimes its the lions intimidating the buffaloes. However, in this sighting, the tables were turned and the buffaloes had their day!
Let’s hope the lions were able to get to the water soon-after this clip was filmed, and get a much-needed sip of water.