The animal was determined it would not become the lions’ prey, and at one point even charged at them, fighting back with all its strength.
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While the lions clawed and bit at the buffalo, it did not succumb to their attacks, showing incredible bravery.
Brave Buffalo Refuses To Give In To Intimidating Lions
Lion vs. buffalo encounters are some of the most dramatic scenes in the wild. Usually, they will showcase strategy, power, and sometimes, failure.
This is because buffalo often fight back!
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This was the case in this memorable sighting. The buffalo fought back with its horns and powerful kicks to fend off the ambush.
Lions often hunt buffalo in coordinated groups, especially when targeting large bulls. Lionesses do most of the hunting, and they use ambush and flanking tactics to isolate weaker buffalo.
The reason they will often go for weaker members of the species is that African buffalo are highly dangerous prey.
They have been known to kill lions with their horns and might use their horns to gore the predators. They’ve even been seen flinging predators several feet into the air!
When threatened, buffalo often form a wall, with horns outward, to protect calves.
However, despite the risks, lions will carry out their pursuit of the prey with determination. A single adult buffalo can weigh over 1,000 kg. This is a huge amount of meat for a pride, making it worth the risk.
Still, lions often get injured or even killed during these attacks, especially younger or inexperienced ones.
This buffalo managed to momentarily carry one of the lions with its horns, lifting it upside-down into the air!
Unlike most horned animals, both male and female buffalo have horns. The female buffalo’s horns are slightly thinner.
Buffalo Contends For Freedom In Rodeo-like Display
The scene resembled a rodeo as the buffalo bucked and kicked with relentless force. It bucked and kicked, and in many instances appeared to have the upper hand.
The confrontation became increasingly intense. Neither of the parties was prepared to give in.
As the attack unfolded, the buffalo moved closer and closer to the spectators’ vehicle. It may have seen the vehicle as a possible refuge, as it gave its utmost to shake off the terrifying beasts.
The lions tore at its flesh as blood marked its path toward the vehicle.
This was when it headed towards one of the tires, the lions still clinging to its hindquarters. Often, predators will attack in this way to immobilise their prey.
Buffalo Manages To Scare Lions Away
While it seemed the confrontation might continue forever, it eventually dissipated when the buffalo, in a sheer move of genius, gored one of the vehicle’s tires with its horns, scaring the lions away.
No doubt the lions had not left it without grievous injury or unshaken. However, the burst tire startled the lions, helping the buffalo succeed in driving them off.