Anchia Harmse submitted an amazing video to Latest Sightings, showing the massive strength of a male lion. She filmed it next to the Nwanetsi River on the S100, near Satara Rest Camp in Kruger National Park.
Setting the scene
Anchia told Latest Sightings that the lions had killed the buffalo the previous evening. Its carcass lay out in the open, surrounded by tourist vehicles.
Mid-day heat
As the video begins, a full-grown male lion stands over the partially devoured remains. It is evident that the lion is not comfortable, panting heavily with a full belly.
We can tell by the shadows that the sun is beating down from directly above. Perhaps for this reason, the lion wishes to move it somewhere cooler.
Pride at rest
Nearby, the rest of the pride rest in the shade of a large bush. Among them are several lionesses and a few half-grown cubs.
They, too, have full bellies, evidence that they all enjoyed a huge feast the night before. Lions are renowned for engorging themselves to the point that they literally cannot move.
Brute strength
As we watch, we can hear Anchia and her companions mention that they think the lion wants to move the carcass. Sure enough, moments later, he does just that.
A full-grown Cape buffalo weighs up to 900 kilograms. Considering that this buffalo has been fed on, with the internal organs removed, it probably still weighs several hundred kilograms.
Nevertheless, the massive black-maned male grips the buffalo by the throat. Then, in a vivid display of its massive strength, it drags the buffalo across the gravel surface towards the rest of the pride.
Suddenly interested
As a result of his herculean effort, the rest of the pride perk up from their lazy slumber. As the male continues to drag the carcass single-handedly towards them, several individuals suddenly get up as if excited to feed.
However, the lion has other plans. Barely missing a beat, he drags the heavy carcass right past them, continuing into the deep shade under the bush where they rest.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Dinner for one?
Generally speaking, male lions prefer to dine alone, viciously asserting their dominance to anyone who challenges the right to feed first.
However, hidden as he is under the bush, it’s difficult to see whether that is the case here. Nevertheless, despite their earlier interest when he pulled the carcass towards them, most seem resigned to endure the heat until he is finished.
The lion’s share
Male lions do not spend all their time with the pride. Whether alone or as part of an alliance with other males, they tend to roam over a large area, patrolling for intruders and alternating visits to prides under their control.
When they do join the females, they use the opportunity to assert dominance, mate, and help hunt larger prey, like Cape buffalo.
In their world, their greater size and strength entitle them to the “lion’s share” of any prey captured. The trade-off is this: in return for protecting the pride from intruding males, they get to eat first.