Johann Piek filmed the spectacular sighting about 1km from Kanniedood Dam in the Kruger National Park.
Buffalo grazes peacefully alongside waterhole
The lone buffalo was particularly vulnerable as it stood grazing in a particularly lush area alongside a waterhole. The grass here was especially green being so close to a water source.
However, the thread of danger also lurked close by.
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Buffalo estranged from herd
A buffalo may become estranged from its herd for several reasons, including old age, injury, illness, or separation during a predator attack or long-distance movement.
Older bulls often leave breeding herds naturally and spend much of their lives alone or in small bachelor groups, while injured or sick individuals may struggle to keep pace with the rest of the herd and gradually fall behind. Young bulls are also forced to leave as they mature, while calves can become separated from their mothers in moments of confusion or panic.
Although some solitary buffalo are healthy and simply living independently, many are more vulnerable to predators because they no longer benefit from the herd’s collective vigilance and protection.
Lions approach grazing buffalo
The buffalo had its head down and so did not notice a large pride of lions entering the area. By the time the large bull became aware of a threat to its life, the lions were a hair’s breath away.
Without the extra eyes and ears of a herd to detect danger, the buffalo would have had to rely solely on its own senses. In this instance, the lions possibly approached from downwind, making their scent and movement difficult to detect.
The solitary buffalo might also have been older, injured, or exhausted and less alert than a healthy animal, giving the predators the opportunity to get much closer before being noticed.
This was not the usual ‘stalk and chase’ scenario of a hunt. Here, the lions walked towards the buffalo, in clear view.
One of the lionesses walked around the buffalo to its hind quartres, and noticing the lion’s presence, the buffalo retaliated. It used its horns to intimidate the lioness, turning to face the opposite direction, where the whole pride had gathered.
It seemed the buffalo was now an easy target. The creature was surrounded and was alone, without the protection of its herd.
The lions now closed in on the buffalo. Initially they walked towards the buffalo, and the animal protested by bucking its horns at the predators. t charged towards them kicking up dust.
Full chase ensues
However, the lions refused to give in. Noticing them closing in on it, the buffalo turned to give way to chase. It started to run forwards, into the sandy area by the dam. Dust was kicked up as the lions now sprinted towards their desired prey.
What had started as a ‘lazy’ interest in the buffalo, now became a full on chase. The buffalo ran with 23 lions on its tail, including some younger lions. It headed across the open area by the dam and eventually disappeared from view of the camera.
According to Johan, no kill was made.
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