A lioness is sent spinning into the air by a buffalo as the two big beasts clashed in the Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa.
The two predators targeted a buffalo bull on a cold winter’s morning in the bush kick-starting a six-hour battle of endurance.
The bull was able to use its horns to flip one of the big cats into the air, but the lioness soon returned to the fray.
A buffalo flings a lioness into the air during an encounter at the Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
A lioness is thrown into the air by the buffalo during the attack, in the Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
Despite managing to wrestle the buffalo bull to the ground, the young lionesses showed their inexperience and were unable to close in for the kill.
After a six-hour struggle, the buffalo was able to stand up, shake of the lionesses and make a run for it.
And despite being bloody and covered in claw and teeth marks, eyewitnesses reported that the bull escaped – although with such injuries it is unclear whether it would ultimately survive.
‘The spectators sat transfixed -the whole event will remain embedded in the memories of those fortunate few who got to witness the battle,’ a Londolozi field guide said.
The pair of lionesses had an epic six hour battle of endurance with a buffalo
After an almighty six hour struggle, the buffalo was miraculously able to stand up, shake of the lionesses and make a run for it
Despite being bloody and covered in claw and teeth marks, eyewitnesses reported that the bull escaped
‘A swift attack by the buffalo saw one lioness go flying through the air and it looked like the showdown would swing the way of the buffalo.
‘Slowly however, the lionesses fought back and allegiances started shifting as the big buffalo bull began was dragged down putting up a desperate fight for his life.
‘The epic battle lasted for a good six hours. The inexperience of the two Sparta lionesses became all the more obvious as the story unfolded.
The buffalo chases a lionesses at one point during the attack in the Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
‘They did exceptionally well to get the massive buffalo on to the ground but simply could not complete the hunt and kill their prey.
‘As the hours drew on, both sides tiring from the ordeal, the predator-prey interface became at its most severe.
‘I couldn’t help but think that what we were watching was a stale mate brought about by thousands of years of natural selection.
‘The evolutionary arms race was playing itself out – this was truly the survival of the fittest.’