Scaredy Cat: Buffalo Foils Lion Attack By Puncturing Tyre

By Jack Flanagan

HAVING already flipped one lion, a never-say-die buffalo found an ingenious way to shake off its second attacker - by using its horns to puncture a car tyre

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Videographer / director: Hannes van Aswegen
Producer: Jack Flanagan, Nick Johnson
Editor: Sonia Estal, Ian Phillips

Power: the buffalo rammed the vehicle's tyre, causing a loud rush of air and scaring off the lion

The resulting loud release of air was enough to scare away the big cat, forcing it to release its vice-like grip and flee.

The dramatic scene unfolded in front of cars full of tourists in Kruger National Park, South Africa - where it was caught on video by Hannes van Aswegen and photographed by Gerda Niemann.

The buffalo battles against the big cat as a group of tourists watch

The buffalo was targeted by a pair of male lions but had already managed to dispatch the first one, leaving him with a gaping leg wound.

The lion savagely bites into the animal's rear

Niemann, 33, said: “There in the road were two male lions. We were crazy with excitement.

“We saw the buffalo the same moment the lions smelled him.

The apex predator sinks its teeth into the buffalo

“The buffalo was standing right next to the road, but didn't try to cross it. He was slowly making his way to a watering hole, totally unaware of the lions.

"Then the lions pounced. One dug its claws into the buffalo's rump - which caused it to rush into the bushes.

The bloody thirsty lion does not give up without a fight

“We tried to see what was happening and then the buffalo came out of the bush, dragging the lion clinging to his behind.

“But the buffalo was not going to go down without a fight.

Flipping Heck: The buffalo sends one of its attackers flying

"The lion in front of the buffalo was calculating when and where to strike, but unfortunately miscalculated.

"He leaped forward, but the buffalo dropped his head low and, as the lion connected with the buffalo, scooped him up with his horns and threw him over his shoulder onto the ground like a bag of potatoes.

Hanging out: The two hungry lions mob the brave buffalo

“His horn left the lion with a gaping wound on his inner thigh, although the other lion was still hanging on - literally."

Running out of energy, the buffalo turned towards the road in one last ditch effort to lose the stubborn cat and escape with its life.

Riemann added: “It stopped for a moment, looked at the cars and then, still pulling the lion clinging onto him towards the closest car, thrashing his horn into the car's front tire.