Watch a Huge Water Buffalo Mother Try to Defend Her Calf Against an Entire Pride of Lions

Welcome to the African savanna, a stage where the drama of survival unfolds daily (and nightly!). Here, two colossal animals stand out for their strength, strategy, and social dynamics: the Cape buffalo and the lion.

Cape buffaloes are the embodiment of collective strength. However, these robust creatures are not just muscle and power. They’re strategic, especially when it comes to protecting their young. In the face of danger, both solo buffaloes and herds will rise to the challenge of survival. The sheer danger they pose and brutish survival strategies employed often gives even the king of the jungle pause.

See the Buffalo Turn the Tables

Speaking of which, the lion, with its regal mane and commanding presence, is more than just a symbol of power. Lions are social animals, living in prides with complex dynamics. They’re also calculating hunters, working together to take down prey. However, as we see in the below video, even an entire pride of lions can struggle with Cape buffaloes!

Read on to find out more about both of these impressive African inhabitants to get an idea of these immense gladiators constantly at odds with each other.

Why Are Lions King?

The mighty lion has been seen as the ruler of his domain for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, lions are the only big cat that live in a social structure. These groups, known as a pride, contain several males (often only one), multiple females, and their cubs. One male, “the king,” rules over the pride with wisdom and dominance. With these kinds of practices, it’s easy to see why these creatures are regarded as royalty.

Just as kings of old, male lions are always vying against each other for the role of ruler. While the females of a pride focus on hunting and child rearing, the males protect the territory and defend against invaders. This is quite a feat, as the area a pride will claim as their own can often be several square miles across.

What Do Lions Symbolize?

As one of the most stately creatures of the African wilderness, the lion has inspired many civilizations around the globe. Within Africa, ancient cultures created many works of art involving lions, many of which were related to a religious system. Powerful deities including Sekhmet, Bast, and Apedemac were worshiped for their authority in matters of protection and war. Many other depictions exist on the continent throughout history, as well.

In Europe, ancient cultures were also creatively inspired to make paintings and figurines resembling the lion. Historical Europe used the lion on many heraldic designs to represent characteristics like courage and nobility. The illustrious Judeo-Christian lore also prominently features the lion in a variety of allegorical ways.