The dramatic encounter was filmed by Amy Barnes in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve.
Pride of lions gather around buffalo carcass
Meal time is a big deal when you are a lion. This pride of lions had settled down for a feast, a buffalo carcass the centre of their focus. They fed with great zeal, fully articulating their pleasure with grunts and snarls.
Buffalo are formidable prey, but when lions successfully bring one down, the carcass can provide a valuable meal for the entire pride.
The strongest adults often feed first, while younger lions wait nearby for an opportunity to move in.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
However, in spite of this ‘pecking order’, competition around the kill can also be intense, with growls and warning snarls exchanged as each lion protects its place.
In this rare sighting, these lions meant business and took their feeding quite seriously.
Two male lions in the group decided to engage in conflict over the carcass, fully demonstrating the competitive nature which rises in lions during a feed.
Male lions demonstrate animosity over buffalo feast
One of the male lions walked threateningly towards the another male, and the other jumped to his feet. He walked with fury towards the instigator, opening his mouth in an aggressive snarl.
He wasn’t about to back off from the kill.
Threatening stance leads to full-on brawl
The confrontation began with deep growls, intimidating stares and displays of strength before escalating into a full physical struggle. The sheer power of both lions was evident as they launched into one another.
Each of the lions was determined to control the valuable food.
Male lions demonstrate tremendous strength
Male lions especially can be highly competitive around a kill, particularly when the meal is large enough to attract several animals.
The male lions’ powerful forelimbs and muscular bodies made this encounter particularly impressive.
These big boys refused to relent. Their brawl swept across the bushveld setting, leavng a cloud of dust. They went at each other with full force.
Lionesses stand to witness spectacle
The lionesses ,which had been around the kill also rose as spectators of the spectacular showdown.
Fights such as this one can cause serious injuries. Often, one lion will back away, allowing the other to feed.
Buffalo provide a substantial source of meat, and controlling a carcass can be especially important when food is scarce.
Lions can feed on a buffalo carcass for several hours to a few days, depending on the size of the buffalo, the number of lions, and how much competition there is from hyenas and other scavengers.
A large pride may consume much of a buffalo within 24 to 48 hours, although lions may return to the carcass repeatedly rather than feeding continuously.
More than likely, after these lions had had their fill of buffalo meat, hyenas, vultures and jackals would have gathered to feed on the remaining parts.
We’ll update you on the best of the bushveld’s brawls on our WhatsApp updates group, enjoyed by thousands of members.
http://latestsightings.com/whatsapp-updates
