Field guide Bathabile Shakwane was on hand to record the interaction and sent their video and account of the incident to Latest Sightings. The rather one-sided encounter occurred at Kumana Dam, just south of Satara Camp in the Kruger National Park.
Watch the sighting here:
Buffalo Spots Lion
“We stopped in at Kumana dam and happened to notice a lone lion lying in the bushes nearby a herd of buffalo. A single buffalo bull seemed to notice the lion lying in the bushes and decided to tread carefully towards the lion to see what she was up to”, Bathabile said.
In the video, the big cat is at first indistinguishable from a lion. All the viewer can see is a tawny shape resting at the edge of a shade.
Of course, lions and buffalo are age-old enemies, with numerous records of titanic battles between the two Big 5 species. So Bathabile waited to see what would unfold.
Time To Move
Inquisitive, the massive bull approached the prone lioness. Suddenly, the lioness decided it was time to go.
However, the buffalo wasn’t about to let her get away that easily and followed.
As the lion rose to her feet, it now became apparent that she was not in good condition at all. Practically skin and bones, she did her best to evade her pursuer.
Too Slow
But she was too slow, the buffalo caught up with her. As it did, the weakened lioness seemed to roll onto her back to defend herself.
Showing no mercy, the angry bull lowered its massive head, intent on goring its sworn enemy where it lay.
Hooked
With the buffalo’s head pressing against her body, the lioness appeared to get one of her forelegs entangled in its horns.
As the buffalo raised its head, it managed to lift the poor lion off the ground.
As she flew through the air, the lioness tried to stop her flight by sinking her claws into the buffalo’s shoulders.
The lift was too powerful, and she failed to secure it. Instead, she sailed through the air, right over the buffalo’s back.
Heavy Landing
Moments later, the lioness came crashing back down to earth. Thankfully, she was able to absorb most of the impact on her front legs.
As she lay in a cloud of dust, the buffalo took off to rejoin his herd. For this, the lioness would be grateful, as buffalo are seldom forgiving when they sense weakness in a lion.
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As for the lioness, as bedraggled and winded as she was, she wasn’t about to hang around. Rising to her feet, she hastily moved away from the buffalo, passing right in front of Bathabile’s vehicle.
Not Hanging Around
As she came into view, it became obvious just how bad her condition was. Not only was she very skinny, but she was also limping heavily, her right hind leg lifted entirely off the ground as she disappeared from view.
Slim Chance Of Survival
Alone, injured, and in a very weakened state, surviving the buffalo’s attack probably only delayed the inevitable.
As Bathabile said, “It was clear, though, that lion was not going to live much longer on her own, and I can only imagine she would have died of hunger at the end of the day. The video is kind of tragic, but just that scene was beyond amazing for me because you don’t get to see this every day.”
Here’s another sighting when the lions were the ones taking over.
Male Lion Soloed Buffalo
This sighting was documented by field guide Louis Strauss, Biyamiti River, Kruger National Park. This solitary lion stunned onlookers with his sheer strength and gritty determination as he dragged his kill across the riverbed.
The Nomadic King
Louis found the lion stalking and making its way across the ridge, getting close to a herd of buffalo.
Male lions rarely hunt within the pride. It’s usually the female’s job to provide food. The resident males will just eat first while the hunters and cubs wait.
However, they play a vital role in protecting the pride from rival males and competing predators.
Nomadic males, like this one, are not yet part of a pride. They roam alone or in coalitions, often preparing to challenge for territory and dominance. In the process, they have to hunt and feed themselves, and this sighting is an example of how they masterfully take down massive prey.
The lion was too stealthy, and the buffalo never noticed him until he was too close.
Wrestling The Buffalo
With a sudden burst, the lion lunged at a young bull and brought it to the ground with overwhelming force.
No time was wasted when he was biting the neck, cutting out its airway.
Once the buffalo was dead, he began dragging the kill downhill to the riverbed. Its muscle definition was clearly visible as it forced its way to drag its massive prey.
Then suddenly, in the hope of rescuing, a massive bull led a desperate charge to break the hold, successfully dislodging the buffalo, but it was too late.
The lion fled, letting the buffalo realize that their friend was already lost.
Taking Back His Spoils
Once the herd retreated, the lion returned swiftly to reclaim his kill.
He continued dragging it across the river bed, showing it to Louis’s truck. His black majestic mane, fitting on the spoils of his victory, that’s why they are called the kings of the savannah.
This lion was likely on the younger side of its adulthood, with its peak athleticism. One day soon, this strength will be tested when he challenges other males to take over a pride and claim his kingdom.