Mombo’s Moporota Pride takes on buffalo – and wins

Location: Mombo Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Date: April 2010
Observer & Photographer: Doctor Malinga

The Moporota Pride, currently consisting of eight sub-adult lions, was seen taking down two buffalo for the first time in January 2010 (read more here) in an epic battle that lasted for hours – only to lose their hard-fought kill in the end. They also sadly lost two of their own pride members in one of the confrontations, a young male and a female, both killed by the dominant male coalition known as the Western Boys.

In another recent sighting, guides Doctor and Moss came across the six remaining members of the Moporota Breakaway Pride as they ambushed one of the breeding herds of buffalo found in the Mombo Concession. This all happened not very far from the staff village at the back of Mombo Camp.

Picking out a female with a young calf, the lions attacked. The female buffalo defended her baby relentlessly, putting her own life in danger, to save that of her offspring.  Finally, the rest of the herd returned, trying to help the mother and baby.  Sadly, the buffalo herd could not defend the calf who succumbed, although the mother managed to escape.

Moments like these are sometimes hard for us to watch as the dramatic event unfolds in front of your eyes. Even though it is nature and the natural order of things out here in the African bush, it can still be quite emotional. The lions however, had a good meal, leaving nothing but a few scattered bones for the scavenging spotted hyaena.