In a dramatic scene, a herd of buffalo banded together to protect an older member from a pride of eight lionesses in South Africa’s MalaMala Game Reserve.
The elderly buffalo, struggling to climb a steep slope after helping rescue a calf, found itself vulnerable and unable to escape the approaching predators.
Sensing an opportunity for a larger meal, the lionesses closed in on the isolated buffalo. However, the rest of the herd quickly took action.
The buffalo calves were moved to safety, and the strongest males, weighing up to 900 kilograms, positioned themselves as a defensive barrier against the lions.
Despite the older buffalo’s precarious position, the herd refused to abandon it. The buffalo repeatedly charged at the lionesses, forcing them to retreat and eventually give up on their attack. This display of unity and determination ensured the survival of their vulnerable member.
The encounter was captured by game ranger Pieter van Wyk, who was on a drive with guests then.
Pieter, 35, described the scene as one of the most intense and exhilarating sightings he had witnessed while at the 33,000-acre reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park.
“The lionesses were on the hunt when encountering the buffalo herd,” Pieter explained. “The herd’s quick response saved the calf, and even when one of their elder members got stuck, the male buffalo continued to charge at the lionesses until they backed off.”
This rare moment highlighted the formidable nature of buffalo, which are known to be among South Africa’s most dangerous animals, responsible for over 200 fatalities each year.
In this encounter, the lions, typically the dominant predators, were outmatched by the strength and solidarity of the buffalo herd.
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