Watch The Sighting Here:
Contributor Ronell sent this dramatic video to Latest Sightings. She filmed it from the H4-1 near Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Attack In Progress
As Ronell’s video starts, a female buffalo appears in serious trouble. Four lions, a young male and three lionesses, have attacked and are trying to wrestle the bellowing cow to the ground.
In a battle as old as time, the distressed cow is not giving up without a fight. However, as two of the lionesses anchor themselves to her hind legs, a third attempts to get her by the throat.
In A Heap
Despite her desperate efforts, the cow is no match for the combined strength and weight of the four lions. Consequently, she collapses to the ground in a heap, with the lions now all but assured of their next meal.
Unwelcome Guest At Dinner
While one lioness holds the buffalo by the throat, trying to asphyxiate it, two of the others position themselves at its hindquarters. As they tear into the tender flesh between her thighs, a lone buffalo bull arrives to investigate.
No doubt it had heard the cow’s distress calls. And, as is often the case, bravely charges in to help.
Still, the lone bull hesitates to get involved, clearly outnumbered. In the meantime, the lions rip chunks of flesh from the weakly bellowing cow. Deciding the cow is beyond help, the bull wanders out of shot.
Second Chance
A short while later, three more bulls arrive. Seeing this, the first bull gathers courage and returns to its fallen comrade.
CHARGE!!!
Lowering its heavily armoured head, the bull charges straight at the feasting lions. The lions scatter when they see it approach, and one barely avoids being gored by its dreadful horns.
Amazingly, the injured cow then rises to her feet and is able to walk clear of the lions.
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Closing ranks
Not content with merely forcing the lions off their prey, the bull charges at them again, driving them further back.
Consequently, the other bulls decide to assist in keeping the lions at bay. However, having tasted blood, the lions are reluctant to give up. As a result, a stand-off ensues, with the four bulls staring down the four lions.
By now, the injured cow has disappeared from view, although the extent and survivability of its injuries are unclear. However, it appears that, for now at least, it will survive another day due to the brave intervention of its herd mates.
Lions vs Buffalos
Weighing in between 425 and 900 kg (935 to 2000 lbs.) an adult buffalo is a nearly irresistible target for hungry lions. They regularly feature in the diet of Kruger lions.
However, buffalo are tough animals with belligerent temperaments to match. A thick hide protects them, while their heavily bossed horns arm their heads for delivering serious damage.
But perhaps their greatest weapon against lions is their willingness to come to the aid of one another when attacked. As seen in the video, without that, this individual would have been done for.