On the banks of Botswana’s Chobe River, a pride of “misfit” lions battle every day for survival, and are the subject of a wildlife documentary titled The Misfits: Undercats of the Chobe River. To help bring the project to life, Latest Sightings proudly shares a few snippets of this special group of lions.
South African wildlife filmmaker Robert Hofmeyr of Moving Pictures Africa supplied this incredible footage. Robert and his team have captured over 250 hours of 8K RAW footage of these lions and have not put the project on Kickstarter to raise funds for post-production. You can support the project here. There are a variety of rewards available for supporters, from virtual safaris to a luxury 3-night stay in Chobe.
Lying in wait
As the footage begins, we see a few members of the Misfit Pride gazing over the Chobe River.
On the far bank, a herd of buffalo makes its way to the river. As they do, the pride prepares for action.
Exuberance of youth
When the buffalo cross the river, an eager youngster is the first to make a move. With head held low, it advances on the seemingly docile herd.
However, the cub’s inexperience, combined with the open terrain, means the buffalo spot it easily. Consequently, the herd turns and flees.
But don’t let their initial flight fool you. Buffalo are powerful beasts, well versed in taking the fight to their foe.
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Turning the tables
Caught in an ancient rivalry, the herd turns as one to face their greatest adversaries. Now caught in the open themselves, it is the pride’s turn to retreat.
Subsequently, they find a degree of protection on a rocky outcrop. The smooth rocks are too slippery for the buffalo to press home their counterattack.
Consequently, a stalemate ensues. But as time drags on, the buffalo move back towards the floodplain.
Level playing field
As they do, the playing fields are once again leveled. Only this time, it is the more experienced adults who swing into action.
Even so, it is one thing to hunt a buffalo. But quite another to catch one. Emboldened by their initial success, it seems the buffalo are doing most of the chasing.
And, as the lions are kept at bay, some of the buffalo even start showing off.
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Method in the madness
Little do they realise that there is method in the lion’s plan. The predators are looking for any weakness in the buffalo’s ranks.
But even when they spot one, the buffalo quickly regroup to defend their comrades.
Accordingly, the lions are soon forced to retreat to their stony refuge.
Throughout the sighting, the ebb and flow of battle ultimately favoured neither predator nor prey. Ultimately, the buffalo moved off with the lions content to wait until circumstances improved.
Support The Misfits
The Misfits is a proposed three-part documentary following three lionesses and their offspring. You’ll meet Stumpy (the fearless leader), Blackmouth (the devoted mother), and Broken Paw (raising cubs despite a severe disability) in their fight for survival.
You can help filmmaker Robert Hofmeyr of Moving Pictures Africa bring their incredible story to the world by supporting the Kickstarter crowdfunding effort by clicking the link below. There are a variety of rewards available for supporters, from virtual safaris to a luxury 3-night stay in Chobe.