Thought to be easily defeated, the buffalo miraculously escaped death at the critical moment.
A dramatic video recorded in MalaMala Game Reserve (South Africa) showcased the teamwork of the African buffalo as they refused to abandon any member of their herd.
In the video, two lionesses, upon spotting a lone buffalo grazing carelessly, seized the opportunity to approach their prey.
Despite making a desperate effort to run back to the herd, the buffalo could not escape the claws of the lions.
Realizing that the chance of escape was “zero,” the buffalo decided to stand its ground and face the lions.
However, the buffalo’s bravery was quickly extinguished when one lioness sneaked around behind and suddenly grabbed its neck, dragging it down into the muddy water, leaving it in a dire situation.
The tension escalated when two large male buffaloes unexpectedly turned back to rescue their distressed companion.
Taking advantage of the enemy’s moment of distraction, the male buffalo charged in, using its sharp horns to toss the lion away, causing it to lose balance and tumble into the mud.
As the enemy was still dazed, the buffalo continued to charge forward threateningly, causing the two lions to abandon their hunting intentions in fear.
The video concludes with a happy ending for the distressed buffalo, as it managed to escape back to the herd under the regretful gaze of the two hunters.
Male buffalo uses its horns to toss the lion.
African buffalo typically move and feed in very large groups, which can number in the hundreds or even thousands.
This “mutual reliance” behavior of African buffalo is an effective weapon that helps them fend off predators on the savannah.
In some recorded instances of being hunted by lions or leopards, buffalo are willing to fight to defend themselves or rush to rescue their companions.
Not only do they have numbers on their side, but each African buffalo is also likened to a “tank,” weighing between 500 kg to 1 ton when fully grown, equipped with sharp horns.
Due to their unpredictable temperaments, African buffalo can also be very dangerous to humans, as this species has never been domesticated, unlike water buffalo in Asia.
