This is the extraordinary moment a buffalo uses its horns to save a friend from certain dearth by launching its predator into the air!
The incredible moment was captured on camera at the Kruger National Park, South Africa by Ian Matheson – a 52-year-old man who was visiting the park with a tour group. The man managed to capture a lion being flipped five meters into the air by a buffalo who was determined to save his friend.
“We had seen the two young lions on the prowl and were already quite excited to witness nature in action, but nothing could have prepared us for what we saw next,” said Oliver, Ian Matheson’s son. “It looked like it was game over, he really looked finished.”
You see, the buffalo engaged in a daring rescue mission after the lion attacked a member of his herd. The lion had already sunk its teeth into the poor buffalo after having had silently been stalking the buffalo for about 45 minutes.
“Then we saw two of the original herd coming back to investigate and we didn’t really know what to expect,” the 17-year-old man said. “It was insane, he flipped the lion about five meters into the air. I had never seen anything like it…we have never seen anything close to what we saw that morning. We really felt privileged to have witnessed such a rare occurrence.”
Those who were a part of the tour watched the horrifying scene without being able to do anything to save the poor buffalo. But when it seemed like the buffalo was living its last minutes, one of its mates stepped in. Because the lion was so focused on bringing it prey down, he actually let itself open to a surprise attack.
The most amazing part is that all of the animals walked away from the encounter with no major injuries. With one exception perhaps: the lion’s bruised ego.
