About the Author

Dan Hirschowitz

Ranger

Dan developed his love for the African bush whilst growing up on a family run farm in the Kwa-Zulu Natal midlands. Growing up in the bushveld he was surrounded by wildlife and finds his passion in what nature has to offer. After completing ...

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11 Comments

on The Ultimate Lion and Buffalo Battle

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Valmai Vorster
Master Tracker

Dan that must of been very load and exciting to watch that kill so close. But I must admit I felt very sorry for the Buffalo, hearing his de-stress call made me very sad. But that is what happens in the wild.

William Paynter
Master Tracker

To witness the kill must be very emotional. Seeing and hearing the distress calls. Yet, the lions very existence depends on their success. Nature at its rawest. Thanks for sharing.

Micki Scherer
Explorer

Dan, I love your photo of the approaching pride in the grass. I must admit that I could not bring myself to watch the video.
Chuck and I will be at Londolozi at the beginning of June and are hoping to repeat some amazing game drives with you. We are still talking about our wild dog den viewing from 2021 and are hoping that the alpha female with the odd lip will give birth and den at Londolozi this spring.

Francesca Doria
Master Tracker

Buffaloes are the epithom of cohesion and support. They are very intelligent animals, their description is something gross and doesn’t do them justice. Lions are bravest hunters facing such powerful animals on the other hand. The Last Lions is a film that shows it well. Relentless rivals. I prefer other kind of tales anyway, like motherhood or peaceful scenes.

Johanna Browne
Senior Digital Ranger

Warnings are always a good thing. Not all of us appreciate the pain and suffering of an animal. I just don’t understand the attraction to violence.

Vin Beni
Guest contributor

It’s likely due to the length of time that it takes to down the huge buffalo, that this kill seems particularly gruesome.

Christa Blessing
Master Tracker

A tremendously exciting and cruel kill. I wonder why the other buffalos didn’t come back to help the one in such great distress? Were there just too many lions?
I once saw the kill of a calf and its mother shouting for help. The other buffalos returned, however, it was too late for the young one.
As you said the coordination and tactic of the lions is always amazing. Even if they don’t actually succeed in killing a buffalo.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

Wow Dan. That was quite the scene – 10 lions and a Buffalo, although it seemed a few of the lions mostly watched. I’m going to assume they’re sub-adults, still learning how it’s done! From your video, it seemed it took hours for this from initial attack to the eventual demise of the Buffalo. Sad for this bull, but a good meal for the pride.

Judith Guffey
Digital Tracker

Always trust Freddy Ngobeni to ‘spot/ find’ exciting moments in the bush. Great story.

Paul Canales
Master Tracker

Insanely intense capture Dan! I can only imagine what it was like to experience it in real time!!

Cally Staniland
Master Tracker

Gosh Dan, don’t know that I would be able to sit back and enjoy that over an hour or more. As much as it is the law of the Wild I’m all for the fast, grab the jugular and kill with speed. Still I’m sure you guys must see many a sight that perhaps we would find difficult at first…it’s all about getting climatized to these scenes.

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