Taylor’s Dam sits close enough to camp that you can hear it from the deck on a still evening. It is not a place I have ever associated with buffalo. For years, the large herd have kept their distance, grazing and drinking at pans deeper in the southern parts of the reserve. So when we found fresh tracks on the drive and realised where they were heading, I told my guests to hold on.
We arrived first. The buffalo were not here yet, but the dam was already occupied. A crocodile lay motionless in the shallows, barely distinguishable from the mud, utterly still in the way that only crocodiles and very old secrets can be. We sat with it, watching, waiting for the herd to crest the ridge south of the dam.
Then the buffalo came. Not a few stragglers, but a proper herd — 300 strong — filling the water in that unhurried way of animals who have been walking all day. Through my binoculars, I watched the crocodile. It had not moved. Not visibly. But something had changed in the water.
The attack, when it came, was faster than any of us expected. The crocodile launched. A full-grown male buffalo, all 800kg of him, was suddenly locked in jaws that had been waiting since the first animal appeared on the hill. My guests and I went silent. For a few seconds, the outcome was genuinely uncertain.
He got away. And returned to drinking, seemingly unbothered by the whole thing.
The herd drank on. The crocodile retreated into the middle of the dam. Taylor’s Dam settled back into its golden afternoon quiet, carrying the weight of what it had just shown us.
Right beside camp. Never stop paying attention.
Wow Keagan, what a siting. The old adage still applies, ‘in the right place…’. Has Londolozi any record of a croc. catching & eating a buffalo? If so, it probably would have been a youngster and fairly alone.
Hi Keagan, I like crocodile and their ancient perfection, but really, I’m a buffalo lover. That said- actually a buffalo bull, weight 800 kg, can’t be killed by a crocodile. In fact, he even reacted as if nothing happened. They are strong, the stronger mammals along with elephants and hippos. The only predators they can really fear are lions. As far as calves are concerned, obviously many others. They are almost invincible… but really a spectacular view! I’m always in awe in front of such majestic animals…. thank you so much for this incredible tale!
Wow! Taylor’s dam becomes the Mara River! I suspect that that inexperienced croc had no idea what he was getting himself in for. Amazing interaction to see!
…..and after exhaling, the buffalo lives another day, the crocodile swam away with empty jaws, life goes on. Thanks Keagan for your story and videos!
Hi Keagan, wow that catch was so fast and over so fast. Very glad the beautiful buffalo bull escaped those jaws and teeth. Just goes to show, never a dull moment in the bush or by the dam. Thanks for the video showing how scarry a furious a crocodile is.
Wow! What an experience, Keagan. I would have thought that a crocodile might maybe attack a buffalo calf but not a fully grown buffalo.
The buffalo was so lucky to escape. What do you think: was he already badly injured or was that more like a scratch?
That’s something you certainly don’t see everyday!
Great post. thank you