[mclaren1885]

Ok I couldn't find a link to the article online. So I am typing the entire article from TOI published by Chidanand Rajghatta in todays paper.

Washington: A herd of water buffaloes is meandering in a South African game reserve, unaware of a pride of lions lying in wait to ambush. When the herd gets within range, the lions spring into action.

The buffalo herd scatters. A lone calf is isolated from the herd and is sent crashing into a nearby river. About for our five lions start dragging the calf out of the river while it is kicking and screaming.

Suddenly, a pair of crocodiles appear and start pulling the calf back into the river. A furious tug of war ensues between the crocodies and the lions for the calf. The lions win, and drag the calf ashore.

Just when they are licking their lips for a good meal, the buffalo herd regroups, responding to the bleating of the calf. They attack the lions. One ferocious buffalo gores a lion with his horns and send him flying into air. The other lions scatter.

Soon, the so called king of the jungle are in complete disarray and are running helter-skelter, chased by the buffalo soldiers.

Meanwhile, the calf has struggled to its feet and has rejoined the herd. The law of the jungle has been upturned; the pride of the lions dented.

So too, perhaps, the rules of the media.

The scene above was captured by an amateur at a safari on an ordinary videocam. It has become one of the most watched videos on YouTube and is regarded among the finest wildlife footage ever shot.

Since it was first uploaded in June this year, it has been viewed more than 7 million times, making it one of the most popular videos in internet history.

While National Geographic has bought the rights for the film for an upcoming documentary, the TV network ABS used it as an example of new citizen journalism engendered by the media revolution.

On Wednesday, the network kicked off a new primetime limited run sereies called iCaught based on user generated content with the sensational wildlife video now known as "Battle at Kruger".

The video was shot in September 2004 by amateur David Budzinksi, who says he barely knew how to operate the camcorder and used it perhaps once a year. But so stunning was the 8 and a half minute footage that it needed more than two years to negotiate rights etc and bring it into public domain in an era when anyone with a camera can before a medial player. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Footnote: The safari guide who was with David and group subsequently scoured the area looking for the herd with the calf. He reported not finding any carcass, and it is presumed the calf survived.
As for the Kings of the Jungle, they are presumed to be licking their wounded pride.

And now for the stunning video.

YouTube - Battle at Kruger

[HellwratH]

Awesome Video mcl! Its pretty interesting to see the basic emotions in animals too and very good to see such unity among one species to save it from the other.

[akroy]

Ya Rahul, already seen this video which came a forward....indeed it was amazing to see the buffaloes, scred then gathering their courage and fighting with the herd of lions..

Abhi

[Vid6639]

Same pinch. I just posted that a while back.

Originally Posted by vid6639

One of the most popular videos on the net. The battle of kruger. The pride of the lions tarnished. Absolutely amazing.

YouTube - Battle at Kruger

[pawan]

same goes for the black mumba in which a herd of buffaloes ran away as soon as the mumba was in its striking procedure and no animal would mess with the mumba because of how lethal it is.

[speedzak]

Isn't this a bit old already?
For those who haven't seen this already, it is definitely a must watch!

[greatDrive]

I have seen the same kind of video 3-4 yrs back on National Geo when lions had to leave their prey(Buffalo) and were chased by other buffalos.

[safari_lover]

Now this video is all over Aajtak news channel. Just seen it in the canteen during lunch.

[speedmiester]

This was also mentioned in TOI today. Awesome video though.

[Mayavi]

Originally Posted by greatDrive

I have seen the same kind of video 3-4 yrs back on National Geo when lions had to leave their prey(Buffalo) and were chased by other buffalos.

African wild buffalos are very ferocious and counter attack when they spot a weakness. They are very smart and always move in a tight formation with the alpha male/leader of group at front, his trusted lieutenants covering the flanks and the young guns in charge of the rear. All the females and calves are in the center and covered by males on the edges.
I have seen one program on Discover few years ago where they showed a group of 30 buffalos moving towards a water source and spotted lion pride relaxing under shade with their cubs. The buffalos noticed that no lions were around and the lioness have their handful with 8 cubs. They also remembered that this is the same pride that killed one of their calves few days back. There were 7 - 8 lioness and 8 cubs and the buffalos attacked them, chased the cubs and seperated them from their mothers and killed 5 of the 8 cubs! They just crushed the cubs with their hooves and gored them with their horns. It was so ironic. The hunter became the hunted.

[Nitin]

Originally Posted by Mayavi

African wild buffalos are very ferocious and counter attack when they spot a weakness. They are very smart and always move in a tight formation with the alpha male/leader of group at front, his trusted lieutenants covering the flanks and the young guns in charge of the rear. All the females and calves are in the center and covered by males on the edges.
I have seen one program on Discover few years ago where they showed a group of 30 buffalos moving towards a water source and spotted lion pride relaxing under shade with their cubs. The buffalos noticed that no lions were around and the lioness have their handful with 8 cubs. They also remembered that this is the same pride that killed one of their calves few days back. There were 7 - 8 lioness and 8 cubs and the buffalos attacked them, chased the cubs and seperated them from their mothers and killed 5 of the 8 cubs! They just crushed the cubs with their hooves and gored them with their horns. It was so ironic. The hunter became the hunted.

Damn!!! talk about pay-back time!!!

[rks]

Fantastic video. Does anybody know how to download this video? I would like to keep it on my laptop.

[esteem_lover]

Nice video. But those are lion cubs, not the real lions or king of the jungles.

[Surprise]

YouTube - Female Wildebeest Vigorously Defends Calf

Excellent video. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE U SWITCH ON VOLUME.

[Shan2nu]

Fantastic video. Does anybody know how to download this video? I would like to keep it on my laptop.

Try this. (Just make sure you use the flv extension when you save it, Eg: Lion vs Buffaloes.flv
Download YouTube Videos! Download and save YouTube videos to your pc!

Shan2nu