Two lion prides clashed on a safari when they targeted the same buffalo herd. Mike Kirkman, a professional guide at Mala Mala Private Game Reserve, was taking his guests for a drive in the Mala Mala concession in the Greater Kruger National Park when he came across this chaotic sighting.
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The prides were the Eyresfield and the Matshapiri, and they were both closing in on the same herd of tasty-looking buffalo.
Lions are extremely territorial animals, so to see two prides hunting simultaneously in the same area is particularly rare. Male lions usually have to ensure the borders of their territory remain impassable to others.
Certain conditions, like difficulties finding prey, can result in situations like this, where two rival prides are competing, or sometimes even cooperating, for the same meal.
The Hunt
It was the lionesses from the Eyresfield pride that chased the buffalo herd through a dried-up riverbed. They searched through the dust kicked up by the herd as the fleeing buffalo headed towards an embankment.
Most of the herd made it up the sides of the riverbed to the relative safety of the higher ground, but one unfortunate buffalo was separated from the rest of the herd and unable to make it to safety.
The moment it was isolated from its fellow buffalo, it became the target of the Eyresfield pride’s hunt. The lionesses quickly ensured it remained in the riverbed where it was vulnerable and closed in for the kill.
Unexpected Teamwork
As the lionesses of the Eyresfield pride entered into the final stages of their hunt, the males from the Matshapiri pride moved in as well, not to compete, but to assist in the hunt.
Lionesses are famous for being the primary hunters in lion prides, but males will get involved in hunting when they need to, and when bringing down meals as large as buffalo, their assistance is usually appreciated by the females.
The buffalo was facing down a lioness when the males approached, and suddenly the buffalo was under attack from multiple sides and unable to defend itself. The lions attacked from the rear, being careful to stay out of the way of the buffalo’s large horns.
Impostor In The Midst
Although teamwork between the lion prides helped to bring down the buffalo, this unexpected alliance of convenience was about to break down in a spectacular fashion.
The males from the Matshapiri pride and the females from the Eyresfield pride appeared to have completed the deal, with the buffalo lying before them, it was certain that they were about to have a good meal.
That is, until a lioness from the Matshapiri pride crept in to try and get a taste of the action. Although the Eyresfield lionesses must surely know that the males are from another pride, having rival females eating from the same kill was apparently unacceptable for them.
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The Breakdown Of Diplomatic Relationships
The Eyresfield lionesses attacked the intrusive Matshapiri lioness, and in response the males from the Matshapiri pride began attacking everyone involved, as the situation spiraled completely out of control.
Even the Matshapiri lioness found herself under attack from the two males despite belonging to the same pride. Perhaps they were angry at her for causing a fight to breakout at the beginning of her meal.
An already tense and action-packed sighting became more astounding when the infighting amongst the lions meant that the buffalo was unsupervised.
Unnoticed in the chaos, the buffalo calmly got to its feet and hurried up the embankment to safely join the rest of its herd. The lions had reaped their reward for their failure to cooperate, empty stomachs and wasted energy.