The Junior Varsity Pride wants water buffalo for dinner
We were on our last evening game drive in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy at Laikipia. Throughout our stay we’d seen many animals peacefully coexisting. We’d seen few predators and, when we did, they were resting.
But as sunset neared a young pride of lions gathered in front of us….
One of the females moved ahead of the group and we saw what caught the pride’s attention: a bachelor water buffalo wanting a drink…
Two others joined her and the chase unfolded in front of us!
And then it was over. Our guide could not believe how poorly they’d done. He noted that this was a young group. Look closely and you will still see spots on the bellies of many of them. This was a young group that did not know what it was doing. So they basically sat around to catch their collective breath, get water, and regroup.
then one male stood and the attention of the pride went to the valley below. The water buffalo was there, along with a bachelor friend. As daylight slipped away, the pride decided to try again.
AND….No Dice! The chase disappeared into the dense brush. A few minutes later we witnessed the JV Pride’s Walk Of Shame
It was a thrilling way to end our time at OI Pejeta, and we enjoyed a beautiful drive back to camp.
