The Last Sips of Air
Captured by safari-goer Daniel Kriedemann at Thornybush, this extraordinary sighting begins with two male lions mid-hunt, already locked onto their struggling target. A female buffalo lies pinned beneath them, her neck clamped between powerful jaws and muscular paws.
The lions are using a classic big-cat strategy: suffocation. By pressing down with their weight and cutting off this cow’s air supply, they were rapidly draining the minutes left on her survival clock.
This gruesome but efficient technique is used to swiftly bring down large prey, but this female was not giving up without a fight.
A Faint Hope
As the lions continued their deadly work, the buffalo cow kicked and struggled under their hold. Her movements grew weaker over time, and it looked like the end was near.
Suddenly, Daniel zoomed his camera out, and that’s when everything changed. In the distance, a small group of buffalo herd members could be seen charging forward!
One by one, they pick up their speed as they homed in on the scene of the attack. Reinforcements had arrived, and they were not happy.
Buffalo are famously social and protective animals, and although they may appear lumbering, their loyalty and bravery, especially in defence of their own, are unmatched. As the herd reached the lions, one of the predators sensed the trouble and leapt off the buffalo.
The other, more determined (or perhaps more desperate), held on for several more seconds, but the incoming bulls weren’t deterred. One lowered its head and rammed the lion in a dramatic act of force, finally breaking the grip and sending the big cat scrambling for safety.
The Power of Unity
What makes this scene so powerful is not just the drama, but the emotion behind the action. The buffalo cow, likely a weaker or injured member of the herd, was not abandoned.
Instead, her companions risked their lives to come back for her. In doing so, they reminded us why Cape buffalo are often considered one of Africa’s most formidable species.
With their strong social bonds and sheer physical power, they can face down even apex predators.
Despite the danger, lions often set their sights on buffalo because of the payoff. A single adult buffalo can feed an entire pride but it’s rarely an easy kill, especially when dealing with a herd.
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Male lions, with their brute strength, are often the ones tasked with bringing down large prey. However, as this footage shows, even the kings of the savannah don’t always get the final say.
A Victory for the Underdog
In the end, the lions retreat empty-handed, and the buffalo cow, against all odds, walks away, stunned but alive. It’s a reminder that in nature, survival is never guaranteed, and every moment is a gamble.
This sighting is also a touching display of herd loyalty and resilience. The heroes of this story weren’t the hunters, but the family that refused to give up on one of their own.