Watch a Brave Water Buffalo Take on Several Lions and Two Hippos and Emerge Unscathed

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The Cape buffalo, also called the African buffalo, is a resilient creature that inhabits several regions of Africa. Not to be confused with its Asian counterpart, the water buffalo, the African buffalo is known for its size, large curved horns, and unpredictable nature. Though many decide to take these titans on, few rarely succeed!

In the video below, we can see for ourselves the unbridled courage and power a buffalo can exhibit even under extreme circumstances. Let’s find out a bit more about these giants of the savanna and what they’re capable of.

Cape Buffalo Defenses

The ever-alert cape buffalo is more than equipped with an array of protective attributes. Their acute sense of smell allows them to sense any potential threats far before they’re seen, and a strange habit of only sleeping for no more than an hour per day. It’s clearly difficult to catch these beasts off guard!

Capable of weighing up to 2,000 pounds, cape buffaloes are definitely not lightweights. These fierce animals are no strangers to using their massive bodies as a battering ram to fend of would-be attackers – the damage a charging buffalo can cause is no laughing matter. Also, water buffaloes often use the buddy system to get rid of trouble, which is even more of a deterrent.

Is It Normal Behavior For Cape Buffaloes to Escape an Attack?

In short, the answer is yes! Cape Buffalo are known for their aggressive and unpredictable behavior. There are a few signs to look for when watching for normal animal behavior. For example, when a vocal alarm sounds within a cow-calf herd, it alerts the others, causing those near the intruder to potentially move closer for an inspection.

If the predator remains there or advances forward, the buffalo will typically retreat, often tossing their heads high, and the entire herd will then flee the area. Apart from charging at other animals, including their long-standing foe, the lion, buffaloes can also target humans. Surprisingly, they are responsible for approximately 200 human casualties each year!

Who Hunts Cape Buffaloes?

Lions will commonly target Cape buffaloes despite the involved dangers, because of the sheer amount of food they represent. As we see in the video below, they’ll devote a sizeable hunting group in order to tackle such a rewarding prize. Other animals like hyenas may try to take down these massive creatures, but stand even less of a chance of succeeding.

Human hunters also have their sights on the Cape buffalo, as they are one of the most sought-after species in Africa, being part of the “Big Five” game animals list. While often touted as an impressive feat, this kind of sport hunting is not helpful to the long-term survival of the species.

Is the Cape Buffalo Endangered?

With seemingly multiple parties choosing Cape buffaloes as their quarry, it’s relieving to know that they’re only considered near threatened. While it’s obviously not great to have any level of endangerment or decreasing numbers in the wild, current research indicates that if their subspecies populations are left alone, they have a great capacity to repopulate without any issues.