A pride of hungry lions had set upon the buffalo – but the lions got more than they bargained for
Stunning: The battle between the buffalo and lions was caught on camera
This is the incredible moment a lion is impaled on the horn of a raging buffalo before being tossed into the air.
A pride of hungry lions had set upon the buffalo – but the lions got more than they bargained for.
The injured buffalo can be seen being pinned down by the pack of lions.
In a bid to rescue his injured friend another buffalo charged towards the lions.
One of the lions then ran towards the buffalo in an attempt to tackle it to the ground.
Dramatic: The exchange was caught on camera
But the lion was struck by the angry buffalo, impaled on its horn and flung into the air.
Pictured: Photographer Mariangela Matarazzo Lee took the snaps
Mariangela Matarazzo, a photographer who was at the scene, managed to take the dramatic pictures.
The 54-year-old said: “When we arrived there were 12 young lions of the same pride that had knocked down a bull and were trying to kill it.
“Just next to them were a dozen other buffalos observing. Suddenly one of them decided to rescue his injured friend that was lying in the middle of the lions.
“The buffalo came rushing towards the lions and one of the males tried to tackle the buffalo.
Tossed: One of the lions was flung into the air
“That was when it got hooked on the horn and was swung by the buffalo several times until he was tossed away and landed terribly on the floor.
“When we thought it was all over two huge male adult lions arrived with two females from another pride roaring a lot.
“All the young ones fled and the injured buffalo stood up trying to escape but he was hurt really bad and very tired.
‘More than they bargained for’: The lions were given a good fight
“One of the lions stood in front of it while the other one walked around the buffalo and jumped on top of it and knocked him down again.