Over a decade ago, there was an epic battle between lions, buffaloes and a crocodile at a waterhole called Transport dam. That video was aptly named Battle at Kruger. Well, 10 years later, the next generations of lions at Transport Dam recently faced their own failed hunt due to a huge herd of buffalo and crocodiles interfering.
Thuli Khumalo, head of Atamela Tours, captured this heart-pumping sighting while on a tour to the Kruger National Park. After lunch at Skukuza Rest Camp, Atamela’s game drive full of tourists arrived at the world-famous Transport Dam, in the hopes of seeing some action. Little did they know what they were actually in for.
They spotted a pride of lions lying in the shade, overlooking the water. If you spot lions hiding in the shade at a waterhole, it is often a good idea to stick around. Lions are opportunistic, so they will often try and hunt any animal that comes close enough.
Surely enough, a large herd of impala went down to the water and the lions gave chase! The impalas were too fast for the lions, but at the edge of the water, they spotted an old buffalo bull. The lions chased that buffalo and it ran into the water where out of nowhere, a crocodile starts taking a go at the already targeted buffalo.
The buffalo decides that the water is probably more dangerous than on land, where it can potentially outrun the pride of lions that are now waiting for him to re-emerge from the water. As soon as the buffalo hit the surface, he makes a run for it, with the lions following close on its tail.
When buffaloes are under threat, they will call for help. Luckily, for this buffalo, his calls were answered! A massive herd of buffalo that was on its way to the dam saw the commotion and chased the lions away, saving the life of fellow buffalo, unbeknown to us if it is from the same herd.
The tenacity of that buffalo is legendary! Saved himself from the crocs and held off the lions including two big males long enough for backup to arrive. Good on him. The desire to live is strong in that one. Props given.
