In the early morning hours of July 18, 2024, a young lion is surrounded by Buffalo and climbs a tree for safety.
Cats of all species head for high ground when threatened
Nic Andrew, a wildlife photographer and safari guide, observed The Mhangeni lion pride at Savanna Private Game Reserve out on a hunt during the early hours of the morning.
The lions were circling a massive herd of buffalo. There were 3 lionesses and 9 cubs, ranging in age. Lionesses like to have their cubs tag along on hunts as it’s how they learn to feed themselves when weaned and to hunt as a cohesive group with the pride.
The Buffalo recognized the scent of the lions nearby and stampeded towards them. The older lions and most of the cubs were able to get away, but one was separated and singled out by the Buffaloes as it attempted to hide behind a bush.
“This time, something went wrong! exclaimed Nick Andrew, the guide. “All of a sudden, chaos broke out and there was dust everywhere. We had a visual again and could see the massive herd stampeding right towards the cubs!!”
As the Buffalos headed straight for it, the young lion jumped onto a fallen Marula tree. The cub climbed up the tallest part of the tree, talons gripping at the bark as his back legs scrambled, pushing it upward.
The Scent of Fear Causes Aggressive Behavior
“What started as a deathly stare-off soon turned into something much more sinister. The cub lost his footing in the tree, causing the bull Buffalo to lunge forward attempting to gore the cub. His horns narrowly missed by only a few centimeters!” said Ned Andrews.
The cub’s scent of fear further enraged a big bull, Buffalo. It became totally focused on going after the little lion. As the cub continued to attempt a better purchase on the fallen Marula tree, it scrambled around a branch, almost losing his balance, as the buffalo repeatedly charged at the tree.
The rest of the herd continually moved around the tree, cutting off any means of escape for the young lion.
Buffalo herds, when threatened, form a wall around their young, heads down facing outward, so that the predator faces a wall of horns. In this situation, however, they formed a wall around the young lion to purposely trap it.
The Tree Proved Life Saving to the Cub
At the same time the cub appeared to lose purchase on the tree limb, the Buffalo charged into the tree. The branch broke, resulting in the cub falling. First the cub fell on top of the bull Buffaloes’ head, then a heavy branch fell on top of the Buffalo’s head.
“The buffalo bull reeled back and tried to gore the lion cub a second time. Fueled by an ancient hatred of lions and adrenaline pumping through his veins, he completely missed the lion, but in the process, destroyed the Marula tree,” Ned continued with excitement.
The Buffalo reared back away from the branch, pushing other Buffaloes away as well.
“The lion cub literally fell at the feet of the buffalo. Luckily, the bull was preoccupied with a Marula branch on his back, which could have easily weighed 100kg,” said Ned.
As the Buffalos remained confused with the commotion of fallen tree and the shaking head of the bull Buffalo, the young lion was able to run off. After running a short distance, he looked back to see if he was being followed.
It took a mere moment for him to realize that he remained in danger and sprinted off to join his pride.
African Buffalo are a main source of food for predators but can also be very dangerous
The African Buffalo has a formidable, fused horn on top of their heads normally used to defend themselves and their young herd members from their typical threats of lions, hyenas, African Wild Dogs, and crocodiles. In this situation, enraged, it turned from prey into a predator.
You can delineate an older bull from a cow by their dark brown to black coat with white circles around their eyes, whereas a cow tends to have a more reddish-brown coat as well as having a distinctively smaller stature.
The bull Buffaloes tend to be more aggressive than the cows, making them very dangerous to hunt. Yet, they are often the target of big game hunters just as they are a prime target of lions. They can weigh upwards of 1600 pounds which is many meals for predators who risk their lives on every hunt.
Animal’s instincts often save their lives
Imagine that little lion was surrounded by numerous 1660-pound Buffalos charging at him. He could have been gored and crushed but got lucky with quick reactions and the safety of a tree. He learned a valuable lesson that day, about remaining closer to his pride and being more watchful of his surroundings.
Always respect and never underestimate wildlife
Never underestimate even a single Buffalo. If threatened, they can switch from prey to predator and someone who does not have the instinct to get to higher ground or the speed to get away can be trampled and gored.
Always respect wildlife, even one that initially appears to be slow, and make a point to remain at a safe distance. It is even safer if you remain in your vehicle and use the image enhancing features of your camera instead of getting nearer for a close-up photo.