Lions of the Kruger National Park consider Cape buffalo a delicacy. Proof of this is the effort they must go to when hunting these formidable opponents.
Danielle Sheedy sent this footage to Latest Sightings. She filmed it from Elephant Walk Lodge, on the border of South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Watch the video here:
Spotlit battle
Filmed with the aid of a powerful spotlight, the video shows an epic battle underway. A buffalo bull spins to face its adversary.
On the edge of the light, we see a lioness as she evades the buffalo’s massive horns. In the process, she looks for an opening to launch her attack.
Outmanoeuvred
Subsequently, the lighter, more agile predator sees the opportunity she has been waiting for. Seizing the moment, she leaps and embeds her 4-centimetre claws into the bull’s rump.
Having successfully evaded the dangerous horns, she must now hold on for dear life while the buffalo bucks and spins to throw her off. Weighing up to 900 kilograms, with a formidable temperament, the buffalo could kill the lion by trampling or goring.
A concerning arrival
Next, the lioness tries to bite the base of the buffalo’s spine. Should it succeed, it will cripple its prey, making it easier to deal with.
Meanwhile, a concerning arrival enters the picture. A young lion cub instinctively moves towards the action. With the buffalo moving erratically, the cub risks being trampled.
Meanwhile, the lioness gnaws at the buffalo’s tail stock. At this point, she will do anything to weaken her opponent.
Help arrives
As the bull continues to thrash, it comes face-to-face with the cub. Thankfully, the little cat realises the danger it is in and flees to safety.
As it does, another lioness comes into view. This is great news for the first lioness as she can certainly use all the help she can get.
However, the second lioness also has to wait for an opening before she can join the fight. Accordingly, there’s nothing the first lioness can do but hold on grimly until an opening appears.
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Two on one
Thankfully, she doesn’t have to wait long. As before, the spinning buffalo’s rear is exposed, and the second lioness rushes in and bites at its hind legs. Should it manage to sever a tendon, the buffalo will lose mobility fast.
With the second lion’s arrival, the odds on the battle are starting to tilt in their favour. As a team, they can work on exhausting the bull while inflicting as much damage as possible.
Shrinking odds
Consequently, when the first lioness is dislodged, the second takes her place, biting the buffalo’s rump. Meanwhile, the other lion latches onto its belly. Things are not looking good for the buffalo.
Moments later, things go from bad to worse when a third lioness emerges from the darkness. Sadly, we don’t get to see the final outcome.
As the video draws to an end, the ongoing battle moves out of the spotlight’s range. However, given the odds, we think it most likely that the lions got the feast they’d fought so hard for.