As apex predators, lions are incredibly dangerous animals capable of bringing down prey much larger and heavier than them. This potential doesn’t guarantee them success in their more ambitious hunts, which this pride found out the hard way.
Sara Zegut spotted this group of lions, named the Birmingham Breakaway Pride, hunting in the Timbavati Game Reserve in South Africa, and caught their attempt on camera. She sent the footage in to Latest Sightings, along with the story.
The lions had reportedly been stalking the buffalo herd for several days, and now they’d decided they had good odds of bringing one down and making a meal of it.
Targeting The Neck
Like other big cats, lions tend to target the neck of their prey when killing them, as it’s an exploitable weak spot that can end a fight quickly without needing to risk a protracted confrontation.
Smaller predators, like hyenas and wild dogs, don’t have the strength to utilize such tactics, and lions are one of the only animals with the strength to try it on something as large as an adult buffalo.
At the beginning of Sara’s footage, a lion had the buffalo caught firmly in its claws and teeth, all clamped around its prey’s neck. But a single lion wasn’t strong enough to bring it to the ground, and the buffalo was still able to lift and move its head which made the lions look bad.
From Bad To Worse
While the hopeful lion dangled from the neck of its intended prey, something gave the rest of the pride a fright large enough for them to suddenly start sprinting in the other direction.
Moments later a second buffalo came into view, chasing the rest of the pride away from the fight. If a single lion lacked the strength to defeat a largely docile buffalo, then the pride could do nothing to stop a raging buffalo in the midst of a charge.
Fierce Protector
After chasing away most of the pride, the buffalo turned its attention to the lion still clinging to its prey. With a slight move of its massive head, and the help of its large and sharp horns, it was able to convince the lion that this was not the time to stand firm.
Not quite the regal apex predator it might have been in a different context, the humbled lion was knocked aside as if it weighed nothing, and it hurried after the rest of its pride.
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Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
With the lion pride thoroughly vanquished, the two buffalo lingered for a moment. One of them had come close to being nothing more than a meal, and although it appeared to be unharmed, it must have been ridiculously stressed.
While the protector stood firm the victimized buffalo began heading back towards the safety of the herd, and away from the dangerous lions that would surely try again if they had the chance.
Although they are a deadly apex predator, even lions can still fail when their prey presents a united front. Despite their lack of success, the sighting was one to remember, and Sara described it as a privilege to witness.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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