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Unusual Sightings

Buffalo and Crocodile fight at Bumi Hills – by Brett Thomson

by Brett Thomson

Despite its political issues, Zimbabwe is fast becoming one of Southern Africa’s premier safari destinations once again. I have visited both Hwange National Park and Mana Pools and also the Lake Kariba and to stay that they are spectacular is an understatement.

These safari destinations offer guests a true wilderness experience as well as the chance of seeing some incredible sightings.

At Bumi Hills in Lake Kariba, Justine Price was out on a game drive with her partner, professional guide Dean McGregor. They witnessed an incredible sighting when two buffalo bulls, after fighting each other to exhaustion, the loser had to then fend off a crocodile!

Read more in the captions below as Justine narrates:

A younger bull buffalo was seen fighting with an old bull
A younger bull buffalo was seen fighting with an old bull

 

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The frantic fighting continued and the younger bull forced the pair of them into the lake on a few occasions.

 

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The old bull was pushed into the lake and as we watched on in absolute amazement a 12 foot crocodile appeared on the scene and attacked the old buffalo who was by now bleeding badly.

 

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The Bulls broke apart with the younger one, also bleeding from various wounds, coming out of the water only to be instantly infested with oxpecker birds

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The crocodile had managed to grab onto his ear. A test of the bull’s remaining strength ensued. He very slowly made his way into shallow water, as we looked on in amazement.

 

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Finally after literally dragging the crocodile for quite a distance this very old, very tired Buffalo managed to shake his huge heavy head and rid himself of the scaly reptile, rushing out the water only to be chased off into the thick bushes by the younger bull who had had a chance to recuperate.