For all their hunting prowess, lions are only successful in about 30% of their hunting attempts. As such, the bystanders who witnessed this rare double kill can count themselves as extremely lucky.
MalaMala Game Reserve sent this footage to Latest Sightings. It was filmed in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
Watch the video in this compilation:
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Watching a fierce pride of lions successfully hunt two helpless buffalo calves is a truly intense moment. To see more amazing survival moments join our community. Tap the link below to enter our WhatsApp group and get the best videos.
Daily occurrence
The video begins with a common bushveld sighting. A small herd of Cape buffalo is seen drinking in the Sand River.
Buffaloes are highly water-dependent, typically drinking twice daily. They are also prime targets for lions who have learned to frequent places where prey gathers, such as near water.
Bold approach
Subsequently, it is hardly surprising when a lioness appears. What is surprising is that the buffalo don’t see it, despite its approaching them in the open.
Since they have limited endurance in the chase, lions typically stalk as close as possible before launching a blitz attack. In this case, however, the buffalo’s thirst proves to be their weakness.
Within striking distance
The buffalo continue drinking even as the lion approaches to within ten metres of them. At this point, since it can run faster, the lioness is within striking distance.
As she gets ever closer, one of the buffalo finally sees her. Consequently, the herd storms off together.
Buffaloes display strong herd instincts. By staying together, they’re quite capable of defending themselves against lion attacks. However, should one become separated, its chances of survival decrease drastically.
Odds in the balance
As the lioness closes to within just a few metres, one of the cows lags slightly behind. Accordingly, we assume that this is her target.
Even so, female buffaloes average nearly 600 kilograms (1,320 lbs), considerably more than a 120-kilogram lioness. As such, without help, she’ll struggle to bring it down.
Of course, lions are known to live in social groups called prides. However, no other lions are visible at this point, leading us to question whether she will be successful.
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Lucky break
Just then, she gets a lucky break. As the herd splinters, one of the calves is left behind. It looks like the adults may have knocked it down as they fled.
On seeing the fallen calf, the lioness immediately goes for it. With its herd on the run, the poor creature is completely defenceless.
In a flash, the lion seizes the calf’s throat, closing off its windpipe. Death by suffocation can take anything from seconds to several minutes.
Outweighed and outmuscled, the calf quickly sinks to the ground as the lioness maintains her death-grip. Then something strange happens.
Two for one
Suddenly, the camera pans wildly, and the game drive vehicle takes off across rough terrain. At first, we wonder why we’re leaving an interesting sighting. Then we hear the ranger announce that a second kill has taken place.
As the vehicle comes to a stop, the camera settles on a male lion, also with a calf by the throat. This means the buffalo herd has lost both its youngsters in a single incident.
Evidently, the male lion had been lying in wait when the herd barrelled up the riverbank.
Finally, the camera pans back to the first kill, where the calf appears to be dead. By now, a second lioness has arrived to share the spoils. Today, the pride will feast. It might be a while before they’re so lucky again.