About the Author

James Tyrrell

Alumni

James had hardly touched a camera when he came to Londolozi, but his writing skills that complemented his Honours degree in Zoology meant that he was quickly snapped up by the Londolozi blog team. An environment rich in photographers helped him develop the ...

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33 Comments

on Tsalala Lioness Brings Down Buffalo

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Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

She is a super mom. She survived against all odds. Her cubs are looking great. Going from strengh to strengh.

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

James, wonderful story. I cannot believe a lone lioness took down water buffalo-amazing!

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Joan,
These are Cape or African Buffalo, not Water Buffalo. Water Buffalo aren’t quite as big as the African variety, which makes it even more impressive.

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

Thanks for letting me know it was a Cape buffalo, even grander that she could take it down by herself

@James Tyrrell, test

Joey Hagen
Explorer

The Asian water buffalo is actually slightly larger, but less formidable and aggressive. I have always rated the cape buffalo in a leauge of his own amongst the bovine species. Low center of gravity, the heaviest horns, fast and agile. This is the most impressive feat of predation I have seen by any felid species, so thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Joey,
100% correct. Apologies, I was quoting from the wrong source!
Best regards

@Joan Schmiidt, test

@Joan Schmiidt, totally agree with you.

@Joan Schmiidt, test 100%

@Joan Schmiidt, 100% agree

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

Wow, still touch and go, but let us hope the cubs reach maturity and start a pride.

Matt Uys
Londolozi Alumni

An amazing Lioness!

Mary Beth Wheeler
Master Tracker

She is a truly amazing creature! Her hard life has toughened her into the excellent mother and survivor she’s become. Awesome!

Vanessa Dean
Explorer

Impressive lady!

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

What a beautiful and amazing lioness/mum. You’ve captured one of my favorite interactions between big cats in the last photo – what appears to be total love. Hopefully she’ll continue to thrive and enable her cubs to reach adulthood.

Wendy Macnicol
Digital Tracker

Hi James. Thank you so much for this interesting story. I agree with the previous comment from Marinda. She is an incredible Mom. Good for her. The little cubs are looking good too. Even old Cape Buffalo bulls are incredibly strong and tough. I think she is amazing ….. Wendy M

Chelsea Allard
Master Tracker

She continues to amaze me. What an incredible creature.

Henk Slettenhaar
Senior Digital Ranger

What an great story!

Susan Strauss
Digital Tracker

Feeling so lucky I was able to see this…she is fierce and quite the bada##!. Well done, Tsalala pride of 1+3 wee ones.

Victoria Auchincloss
Master Tracker

Way to go mme. Lioness!!! Victoria

Michael Fleetwood
Master Tracker

AMAZING story James! Am curious, though, was the Birmingham feeding with the family the one she mated with, or one of his brothers? It is reassuring that whichever it was recognizes the cubs as either his or one of his brothers’!

Joanne Wadsworth Kelley
Master Tracker

Enjoyed reading and seeing the matching story in picture form as well. Tsalala long ago earned my respect and even more so now as she protects and feeds her cubs. She has a global fan club!

Dawn Phillips
Explorer

Incredible. What a lioness! She comes from a strong line. Love this story, thank you.

Johanna Browne
Senior Digital Ranger

Maybe at last the winds are changing in her favor. Magnificent lioness on every level.

Ben Franklin
Explorer

She comes from wonderful gritty genetics. Hoping for continued success

Bob and Lucie Fjeldstad
Master Tracker

Very impressive that she could take down a bull one-on-one but as you point out the environment may have helped, but still, what a spectacle that would have been to see! Very lucky for her and the cubs to have enjoyed the bulk of that meal!

Vin Beni
Master Tracker

Hoping to see them this week!

Suzanne Gibson
Master Tracker

Truly phenomenal – but very risky! Certainly paid off this time, though.

@Suzanne Gibson, some text

Cheung Yc
Digital Ranger

Wow, so cool, these are the lucky little one !

Callum Evans
Master Tracker

Now this is a feat and a half!! I’ve never heard of a single lioness, without the backing of a pride, taking down a buffalo bull!! She really is an exceptional cat!!

I wonder if she learned from the other Tsalala lionesses in the past?

Trish Monck
Master Tracker

She is a badass!

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