Old Cape buffalo bulls are notoriously ill-tempered, particularly when threatened. In this amusing footage, a lion pride was kept guessing when a bull chose violence.
Wildlife guide Cathan Moore submitted this video to Latest Sightings. He filmed the action in South Africa’s Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
Who goes there?
Cathan’s footage begins with a lioness looking nervously over her shoulder. In the background, we can make out the shape of one of Africa’s most feared animals.
Coincidentally, the hidden beast is also one of the lions’ favourite prey. But is the lion hunting or hiding?
Moments later, we see a large Cape buffalo bull barrelling through the bush. As you’ll soon see, having picked up the scent of predators, the bull has broken from his herd and gone on the offensive.
A skittish pride
Consequently, when Cathan turns back to the lions, we see that the rest of the pride are looking around nervously.
Suddenly, they get up and run for their lives.
Moments later, the enraged bull comes charging onto the scene. As cranky as buffalo are known to be, this bull is really going out of his way to hunt down the lions.
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Lion lying low
In a subsequent scene, we see the bull emerging from the gulley below. In the foreground, one of the lionesses crouches low, hoping not to be seen.
While buffalo don’t have great eyesight, they are excellent at spotting movement. And, they have an excellent sense of smell and acute hearing.
As for the lioness, when she sees the buffalo get too close for comfort, she loses her nerve and slinks away quickly.
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Cunning meets cunning
In the penultimate scene, we see the pride gathered in the meagre shade. Panting heavily, two of the youngsters suddenly turn their attention to the right of the frame.
Given what has happened so far, it’s not surprising that all, but one of the lions, suddenly get up and flee to the left. The frustrated buffalo has tracked them down again.
However, the fourth lioness decides to take a different approach. Perhaps tired of running around in the midday heat, she remains crouched, using the cover of the tree trunk to hide herself.
Amazingly, her cunning plan works. As the bull charges by, she uses the trunk to hide herself, circling it as it passes.
Given that the bull’s rump is now exposed, this would be the ideal moment for a counterattack. Instead, she decides that discretion is the better part of valour and slinks off.
Where did they get to?
As the video draws to a close, we see the bull charge back to where the lions had been resting just moments ago.
Although their scent lingers, they are nowhere to be seen. With that, the bull snorts and makes his way back to his herd. Better luck next time, big fella.