A male lion in South Africa has shocked wildlife experts after it was captured on camera catching and dragging an entire buffalo across a river. The incredible footage, captured by a game ranger in the Kruger National Park, shows the lion dragging the large animal through the fast-flowing river. The lion then proceeds to pull the buffalo out of the water and onto the river bank, where it is believed to have been consumed by the pride. The buffalo weighed an estimated 500kg and was believed to be too big for the lion to carry, so experts believe it was dragged for up to an hour before it was pulled out of the water.
This type of behaviour is unusual for lions, which typically hunt for smaller animals such as antelope or zebra. However, the Kruger National Park is home to a large population of buffalos, meaning it is not uncommon for lions to target them as prey. The footage was shared on social media, where it quickly went viral. Wildlife experts were amazed by the lion’s strength and determination, with some commenting that it was a remarkable example of how powerful and capable these animals can be.
The sighting has been described as a once-in-a-lifetime event, as there are very few examples of lions successfully hunting and killing an animal of this size. It is thought that the lion was part of a pride, as these animals typically hunt in groups. It is not uncommon for lions to try and take down larger animals such as buffalo, but this particular sighting is extremely rare. The footage has been praised by wildlife experts, who have commended the lion for its successful hunt.
