Ewaso Lions

Category: Lions | Date: Oct 06 2008 | By: ewasolions

I was driving back from Shaba on the 14th of September when I came across Uni and Lpatpata, the new male, by the river resting. The river had come up and was flowing rapidly below them. Three buffalo crossed the river from Buffalo Springs into Samburu and saw the 2 lions resting on the beach.

What followed was the longest and most persistent pursuit I have seen of buffalo chasing lions. The buffaloes came tearing out of the bushes and chased the 2 lions away from the river, up the Wire Bridge lugga and into the thick Salvadora bushes. The lions ran as fast as they could but the buffalo continued to chase them without stopping.

Buffalo chasing the two lions across the lugga

I lost sight of them and drove around the corner and found Uni up a tree! The buffaloes continued to chase Lpatpata whilst Uni stayed in the tree for a few minutes. One buffalo watched her keenly but then appeared to be more interested in chasing Lpatpata who was still running.

Uni in the tree

Uni being watched by the buffalo

Uni eventually came down and walked into the bushes. I followed her slowly and drove round a corner only to find another lion high up in a tree! I thought this was Lpatpata only to see that it was in fact Loirish, the other male. He must have been resting in some bushes and was surprised when buffalos came tearing out of the bushes making him jump up a tree as well. There was no sign of Lpatpata or the buffalos.

Meanwhile, Uni approached Loirish near the tree and tried climbing it, growling and making it clear that she wanted to mate with him. He eventually came down the tree and disappeared with her after mating.

Loirish up the tree with Uni

I had a totally different experience in Shaba the previous day where lions prey on buffalo all the time. But in Samburu its different – the lions are the ones being chased by buffalo!