A buffalo found himself surrounded by in the large Mayambula pride of lions in Timbavati Nature Reserve. The memorable chase was filmed by Humphrey Mathebula.
The Mayabula pride is one of the impressive lion prides found in South Africa’s reserves.
Like other lion prides, the group relies heavily on cooperation, with females often forming the core of the pride and working together to hunt and protect young cubs.
The pride’s social structure is constantly changing as cubs grow, young males eventually leave, and new males may take over the protection of the group.
Male lion sneaks up behind lone buffalo
In this tense encounter, a buffalo was standing alone on the bank of a nearby waterhole.
He had been separated from his herd and as such, was extremely vulnerable to predators.
He seemed unaware that a large male lion was approaching him from behind.
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This is because he had his attention fixed ahead of him, to where many lions were reclined alongside the water’s edge.
These lions were part of the impressive Mayambula pride.
The male lion continued to approach the buffalo from behind. He kept steady, calculated steps.
As though the buffalo suddenly caught wind of what was happening, he started to move, breaking into a run; with the lion now sprinting behind him.
Only, it soon became clear to the poor buffalo that this possibly wasn’t the best escape option. He was running straight into the pride while pursued from behind!
String of lionesses follow buffalo in heated chase
The large creature did an about turn and started to run now in the opposite direction.
The poor fellow now had the entire pride’s full attention and some of the lionesses which had been reclining on the banks of the water stood up to join the male lion in pursuit of the buffalo.
Meantime, the buffalo appeared now to be chasing the male lion which had sneaked up on him. He pursued the lion, while being pursued by the rest of the pride.
It was a tense moment, however, the buffalo held his own and eventually, with a string of lionesses on his tail, managed to enter the water of the waterhole, where he found something of a refuge.
Buffaloes have been known to put up a fight when pursued by lions. Their massive horns make this possible. Their powerful, distinctive horns are among their most important natural weapons and defensive features.
In adult males, the horns develop into a broad, heavy structure with the bases meeting across the forehead to form a hard shield-like area known as a boss.
Females also have horns, although they are generally narrower and lack the prominent boss seen in mature bulls.
Buffalo use their horns for defence against predators such as lions, as well as during confrontations with other buffalo, particularly when males compete for dominance.
Their horns continue to grow throughout their lives, and older bulls can develop remarkably large, thick horns. The combination of strength, size and a reinforced horn boss makes the African buffalo one of the most formidable animals on the African savanna.
Witness more heroic escapes
Not every chase is a sure kill. Sometimes animals, such as this buffalo, actually get away! Click here to join our WhatsApp group where you will receive latest sightings updates.
