Wild Buffalo’s Heroic Sacrifice: Impaling Aggressive Lion to Protect Fellow Companions

A brave wild buffalo risked its life to save its “companion” from a pack of attacking lions in a wildlife reserve in South Africa, fatally piercing one lion’s chest with its sharp horns. The wild buffalo charged forcefully towards the pack of lions, who were preparing to feast on another buffalo, and rammed its pointed horns into the animal’s chest. The lion was flung into the air while the others scattered in panic.

However, despite the buffalo’s valiant efforts, it couldn’t save its companion due to the severe injuries sustained. Furthermore, some other lions also joined in the fierce pursuit. The African buffalo, also known as the Cape buffalo, is the largest buffalo species in the bovine family, capable of weighing up to one ton. On the other hand, lions typically weigh a maximum of 250 kilograms. Brazilian photographer Mariangela Materazzo Lee, 53 years old, witnessed and captured these impressive moments in the Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa. “We saw 12 lions of similar size attempting to bring down a wild buffalo, with around 20 other buffalo watching nearby. Suddenly, one buffalo charged into the midst of the encircling lions. The lion was pierced through the chest and sent flying into the air. However, the injured buffalo couldn’t escape and was eventually killed and consumed by two other lions,” she described.