Lion Predation

[Spalea]

Marlon du Toit: " One of nature’s ultimate battles - lions versus buffalo!

This was the best photographs I’ve ever been able to take of such an epic event. You gotta be at the right time, at the right place, with the right amount of luck & then a little more luck, haha. It really is an intense experience but certainly something to remember! I will always look back at this morning guiding a private safari with @maris_peter in the southern Kruger. "

Marlon du Toit: " HIGHLIGHTS from a recent, epic sighting we enjoyed. Four big but scruffy looking male lions trailed right behind a buffalo herd. We found them within sight of the large herd & followed them for a couple of hours.

Now it’s a very dangerous task. Lions can’t just rush in & grab the closest buffalo. A single buffalo on its own is a formidable animal, well capable of taking care of itself against lions. What also counts in the favor of the buffalo, is that the herd would often stand together & assist a fallen comrade. When a few hundred buffalo with sharp pointy horns team up against you, it’s best you consider getting on your way!
So the lions need to play the patient game. Wait for a straggler or take an opportunity to catch & swiftly kill a sub-adult or a calf.
They often catch a buffalo & inflict such damage that even if the herd returns to help, the lions would have injured the buffalo enough to ensure if falls behind or even better, is unable to rejoin the herd. "

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