In this incredible sighting, a buffalo managed to evade the onslaught of the large Kambula pride. This was all thanks to a little help from his friends.
Pride members sneak up on buffalo herd
The buffalo herd had been grazing peacefully when the first lioness from the pride had started to move towards them.
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She had remained hidden but now her agile form was clearly visible. She moved with speed, approaching the buffalo, which now aware of her presence, started to run away.
They moved in unity, however one among them was separated from the rest sufficiently for it to become the pride’s target.
Lionesses isolate buffalo with view of attacking
In spite of this being a large herd, the lionesses identified this buffalo as a target and they moved in to isolate the animal. The first lioness moved between the buffalo and its herd, and the other lionesses closed in.
They now encircled the poor creature, with more and more lionesses emerging from the thicket.
This was already a spectacular sighting. The Kambula pride, with over 20 members, is impressive in itself. However, things were about to get heated up!
Lionesses encircle buffalo
Having encircled the buffalo, the lionesses now closed in on it. One of them leapt at the buffalo, clinging onto it in the area by its hindquartres.
Her claws dug into its flesh and it gave out a loud cry of distress.
The animal collapsed under the weight of the lioness, which pushed down on it from the back. Its pain was clearly audible and it moaned with distress.
This was the point where sensitive viewers in the open-backed vehicle might have looked away to get some reprieve. Nature can be brutal and this was a tentative, heartrending moment to watch.
Pride members come out in numbers
More and more lionesses continued to emerge. They swarmed around the buffalo, which was immobilised on the ground. It could not get up to move because the lioness continued to pin it down from behind.
What it could do, however, was cry out and it did so, with chilling, heartbreaking moans.
Herd members respond to distress
While the lionesses might have not been bother by its distress, the buffalo’s fellow herd members heard its cries.
They gathered in unity together and started to move forwards, as a solid, united front.
Lowering their heads and flashing their horns, they charged towards the lions, which seeing their approach, got up to run.
A miraculous save
The lionesses continued to run away as the buffalos approached. They had left the buffalo they had targeted, to leave a distance between themselves and the herd. The wounded buffalo stood to its feet. It was injured but it appeared its herd had saved its life.
The lions stood and watched from a distance, and one or two of the buffalos charged to enforce the distance and ensure the lionesses had gotten the message… which it appeared they had!
The strength of a lion might be in the pride, but the same is also true for buffaloes. This hefty fellow got by with a little help from his friends.