Watch a Heroic Dog Lead a Cow Herd Away From a Stalking Lion

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Written by Kirstin Harrington

Updated: October 21, 2023

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Herd of Jersey cows
© iStock.com/avstraliavasin

In Gujarat, lions wandering into residential areas are a fairly typical sight in the villages around Gir National Park. It’s common to hear about lions hunting cattle and even domesticated pets. In a recent viral video, a herd of cows is seen running in an alley, followed by a street dog.

The herd of terrified cattle is frantically galloping down a rural road, leaving viewers wondering what’s making them run. The dog appears to be barking and following the herd in the meantime. Man’s best friend stares back, barking frantically.  

Another animal can be seen moving toward the dog in the shadows. The dog barks and rushes to the opposite side as the shadowy figure approaches from behind. Out of the shadows, a lion appears and follows the herd of cows as the dog runs off.  

portrait beautiful brown white domestic australian shepherd dog posing nature sunset

Its not known what breed of dog was the hero in this video but Australian shepherds are used as herding dogs.

©Jithu B Mohan/Shutterstock.com

The event occurred four years ago, but the footage just recently reappeared and is becoming very popular online. The dog is being praised for its courage and for saving the livestock from the threatening wild beast.

Many herding breeds use barking, rotating, and biting at the heels to drive the animals toward a specific area. Others merely approach the herd with a silent gaze and move as necessary. 

The assistance of a dog is vital while managing animals. Cattle, sheep, and even poultry can be herded by several dog breeds. 

Do Lions Eat Cattle?

It is not shocking that lions will kill and devour cattle given the lack of natural prey species and the free-ranging cattle. The majority of livestock killing by lions occurs at night when they hunt the simplest prey, like cattle without horns.

What do lions eat - dinner time

A male

lion

enjoying a fresh-caught zebra.

©Richard Damian Knight/Shutterstock.com

Even the death of one cow, particularly one that is pregnant or nursing, might destroy a small farmer’s livelihood since lions, or more probably, a pride of lionesses, are on the hunt and ready to kill. 

Can Cows Outrun a Lion?

Simmental cow and calf in field

Cattle can only run for brief periods of time; they do not run continually. Not many animals can outrun a lion, as they can easily run around 50 miles per hour.

©Show Business/Shutterstock.com

Cows have a top speed of 25 mph and can run approximately around 17 miles per hour for longer spurts. Cattle can only run for brief periods of time; they do not run continually. Like all other animals and the majority of humans, cows too flee when frightened by something.

Not many animals can outrun a lion, as they can easily run around 50 miles per hour. We’re unsure whether this herd got away from the lion, but since the large feline was outnumbered and trailing behind, we think the odds are in the cow’s favor.


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About the Author

Kirstin is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering animals, news topics, fun places, and helpful tips. Kirstin has been writing on a variety of topics for over five years. She has her real estate license, along with an associates degree in another field. A resident of Minnesota, Kirstin treats her two cats (Spook and Finlay) like the children they are. She never misses an opportunity to explore a thrift store with a coffee in hand, especially if it’s a cold autumn day!

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