Just a few minutes from Olare’s bush airstrip James Nampaso and Patrick Koriata witnessed an extraordinary battle not long after sunrise. In the dim crepuscular hours some lions from the local Enkoyani pride had injured a huge bull buffalo, breaking its back legs.
‘The rest of the pride were here to finish the job’, Patrick said. ‘It limped into the waterhole to escape the predators and after a while felt safe enough to retreat from this watery safe haven.
‘The lions were ready and attacked with military precision, but not before one was tossed high into the air after unwisely taking on the buffalo with a front on approach.’
This story made several national newspapers.
Meanwhile at the same time just across the border in Naboisho most of the Ikisiausiau breakaway pride (25 in number) were perhaps unwisely taking on another large bull, this time uninjured.
There were several lively rounds but this was a seasoned heavyweight v callow bantamweights with only really one outcome particularly as most of the pride preferred the view from the gallery.
A day later Johnson and Bernard watched a formidable lion coalition drop a buffalo cow. They had begun feasting when a large male charcoal ruminant appeared and savagely interrupted their meal.
This was suddenly a serious confrontation, with no thought of the buffalo winging it (sorry) and before long the cats retreated unimpressed by this bull****, and, miraculously the cow ( now christened Lazarus) rose, albeit unsteadily, above the oat grass..
A day later Johnson and Bernard watched a formidable lion coalition drop a buffalo cow. They had begun feasting when a large male charcoal ruminant appeared and savagely interrupted their meal.
This was suddenly a serious confrontation, with no thought of the buffalo winging it (sorry) and before long the cats retreated unimpressed by this bull****, and, miraculously the cow ( now christened Lazarus) rose, albeit unsteadily, above the oat grass..
The lions did not withdraw altogether, but as they watched their meal vanish the rest of the herd appeared to drive them off with a bold and thunderous attack on their mortal enemies.
As for Patrick and James’s far flung lion; it is unlikely to see another wet season. Patrick has often reminded us: ‘Lions kill more buffalo than anything else … and vice versa …!’
Incredible job James, Patrick, Bernard and Johnson.
