Colin Holden sent this video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it at Thornybush Game Reserve, Greater Kruger, South Africa.
Just in time
Visitors to South African game lodges often hope to see predators tackling prey, a dramatic spectacle that is not for the faint of heart. After all, in Nature, there is no moody soundtrack or editorial blurring.
So, we can imagine the mix of excitement and trepidation on board the game drive vehicle as this video gets underway.
On a rainy day, a large pride of lions are in the process of hunting a lone buffalo cow. As she bellows, the lions pile in, pulling their massive prey to the ground.
Difficult prey
Presumably, this hunt had been going on for a while, as buffalo are not easily defeated, even by lions. Massively built, incredibly powerful and renowned for their bad temperament, buffalo are a hazardous prey to tackle.
For lions, it is a matter of weighing up the risk versus the reward. Any injury to a lion could have fatal consequences. However, when successfully executed, it will nourish the pride for several days.
Beyond their size, strength and temperament, buffalo typically live in large herds, deriving protection from one another. So, the absence of the herd probably contributed to the success of this hunt.
But why would she be alone? Was she sick, injured, or was it something else?
Sheltered calf caught
It would appear that the buffalo had left the safety of the herd to give birth. This becomes apparent when the video cuts to a new scene.
In it, a lioness has found her calf, which had been sheltering under a nearby bush while its mother was attacked.
The predator has the helpless calf pinned to the ground and is biting the unfortunate youngster in the neck. Like its mother, it bellows in a desperate plea for help.
But, its appeal is in vain, since the lions have killed the mother and the herd is nowhere to be seen.
Premature end to a short life
In the next scene, we see the lioness carrying the limp body of the calf, as she goes to join the rest of the pride in their hard-earned feast.
Our first impulse is to feel sorry for the youngster. Probably only a few hours old, it has barely begun to live before something snuffs out its life.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Cruel but “kind”
Then we remember that the mother is dead. Therefore, had the lioness not found the calf when she did, the calf’s fate may well have been to die of starvation. Assuming another predator didn’t come along and kill it anyway.
As the video comes to an end, the pride settle down to eat. This meal will ensure their immediate survival.
Herd breeding styles
Buffalo do not synchronise their breeding, unlike wildebeest, for example, where the females mate and calve within weeks of each other. However, they do seem to time it so that calves are born in the wet season, when fodder is most abundant.
The benefit of synchronised breeding in its various forms is that about 50% of their young survive to maturity, as there are too many calves for the predators to consume them all, notwithstanding deaths due to disease, injury, abandonment and starvation.
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.
View this post on Instagram
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!
Be the first to comment on this article!