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Safari-goer Mike took this footage in Mala Mala in the Greater Kruger National Park and sent it in to Latest Sightings. The video showed a fight between lions that already looked to be nearing the end.
There were three other male lions that had singled out and attacked the lone cat, and they’d already attacked it ferociously and left it injured and bloody on the ground.
As a larger and stronger male held it in place with its teeth, this wounded lion was hanging on as well as it could, but it seemed like its number was already up, and it didn’t have long left.
A Deadly Disagreement
While lionesses are famous for hunting food for the pride, male lions typically have the duty of maintaining the integrity of their territory and ensuring competing prides and predators stay out.
If another lion trespasses into the wrong area, males will first try to intimidate it into leaving without the need for violence, but if it refuses, then the conflict will rapidly turn physical.
It is also possible for conflicts to arise inside a pride, usually around dominance and breeding rights, but these kinds of fights are more likely to be one-on-one, rather than one against three.
Trapped In A Hard Place
While the cause of this deadly battle was unknown, the loser was very obvious. The three larger males had the lone lion completely at their mercy, pinned to the ground and unable to fight back or protect itself.
Two of the males rose up when Mike began filming, but one remained, and it appeared to have its teeth lodged firmly in the neck or shoulder of the defeated male.
Even if the unfortunate lion had the strength to tear itself free, it would have been a painful endeavour, and it was unlikely it would have had the strength to get very far before they caught it again.
Unlikely Saviors
The calls of the lion attracted some unexpected help from a very unexpected animal. Few would expect buffalo to approach the sound of a violent lion clash, yet this herd did.
They approached as a herd, likely to ensure the other two lions didn’t have an opportunity to attack, and they reached the site of the fight quickly.
Weakened and injured, the defeated lion wasn’t strong enough to fight back against any of its enemies, but the buffalo were more than strong enough to force the three victorious lions to abandon the attack and retreat.
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A Really Unlucky Lion
They’d bought the injured lion a short respite, but this didn’t last particularly long. After a short investigation the buffalo seemed to realize exactly what it was they’d saved and regret their actions.
One of them headbutted the injured lion, but then they all swiftly retreated and left it to its pain. Though it survived attacks from both rival lions and a confused buffalo herd, the lone lion reportedly died only a few days after this video was taken.