As children, we are taught to be aware of our surroundings, to look both ways before crossing the street, and to avoid the danger of strangers. We are told these things to keep us safe while we are out and about.
A buffalo had the brilliant idea of not going the other way, but going through a pride of 23 lions. The incredible encounter took place at Ngala Private Game Reserve in Greater Kruger and was witnessed by scouts and some tourists.
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The world-famous Kruger National Park is the largest wildlife sanctuary in South Africa and one of the largest in the world. The area is rich in fauna and was the first private game reserve to be incorporated into Kruger National Park. Guided by knowledgeable rangers and trackers, the sanctuary offers up-close encounters with African wildlife.
A video from the popular animal Youtube channel Latest Sightings shows a buffalo stepping out of the water towards 23 lions. All it takes is a few roars, and the giant buffalo will safely run back into the water. Thinking he could outwit the lions, he watched them slowly come out of the water.
A guide on the tour said: “We’ve been tracking the Birmingham pride on foot and came across their cubs. Walking back to the car we heard a buffalo roaring as if it had been brought down. Of course we Drove in the direction of the commotion and found the lion kicking down the buffalo.”
Several lions chased the buffalo and followed him over the top of a great mountain. What we see next isn’t the easiest to see. The buffalo is surrounded by lions as they attack and jump over him.
These top predators quickly bring the buffalo to the ground and take over. Although it may look scary, it is a rare natural sight for tourists to see in person.
What’s particularly striking about this video is that you see two white lions joining the feast. There are only three recorded wild white lions in the world, two of which are featured in this video. It’s absolutely incredible.
You’d think an animal the size of a buffalo would keep a pride of lions full for a long time. Due to the number of cats in this particular pride, the carcasses were devoured in the afternoon.
What would you do if you saw it on a safari? This will be a story worth telling and we are grateful that someone captured this amazing footage for us!
next
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
