A gripping scene in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve unfolded as a buffalo herd turned the tables on an old lion from the Northern Avoca pride after a hunt went awry.
During a routine morning safari, 24-year-old field guide Deon Kelbrick and guests from Nkorho Bush Lodge witnessed the intense struggle between the lions and a large herd of buffaloes. Kelbrick recounted the heart-wrenching sight to LatestSightings.com.
The Nkuhuma lion pride, hungry and determined, trailed the buffaloes, aiming to make a kill. Lions, uniquely adapted for hunting large prey, rely on their social structure pride to take down such formidable targets.
Despite the Nkuhuma lions’ experience in singling out weak links among the buffalo herd, the situation took a dramatic turn when a lone buffalo managed to call for help, prompting a stampede response from the entire herd.
The renowned Dark-Maned Avoca male lion was trapped as the enraged buffalo surrounded him.
Buffaloes, with their massive horns and sheer size, pose a formidable threat even to lions, setting aside the risk for a chance at survival.
With nowhere to escape and consumed by fear, the Avoca male lion eventually sought refuge in nearby bushes.
However, the buffalo herd’s aggression persisted, subjecting the lion to a relentless onslaught of hooves and horns.
The ordeal lasted for a harrowing 15 minutes, leaving the male lion severely battered. Fortunately, his desperate calls for help reached his pride, prompting their return and driving the buffaloes away.
In this intense encounter, the aging lion-faced a formidable opponent in the buffalo herd, showcasing the brutal realities of survival in the African wilderness.
