Lion left bloodied after hour-long battle with buffalo in Zambia

The beef’s too tough for me! Lion is left bloodied and battered after buffalo fights it off in hour-long battle

  • WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Photos of a lion and buffalo fighting for their lives
  • The lion attacked the buffalo in a national park in Zambia while the 1,900lb beast was drinking 
  • Matt Armstrong-Ford, 31, from Scotland stood just 100ft away to capture the bloody fight on camera

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This lion bit off more than it could chew. 

In an hour-long battle in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, the 420lb lion clung onto a 1,900lb buffalo, sinking its claws into the animal’s hide – before it was impaled by the buffalo’s horn. 

The pictures were taken by photographer Matt Armstrong-Ford, 31, from the Isle of Bute, Scotland, who stood just 100ft away from the action.

Male buffalos are considered to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Their horns fuse together creating a tough shield which is known as a ‘boss.’ 

Some refer to them as ‘black death’ or ‘widowmakers’ as they reportedly trample or kill around 200 people a year.

The lion stares daggers as it takes on the buffalo in bloody combat in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

The lion stares daggers as it takes on the buffalo in bloody combat in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

The 420-pound lion (right) launches an attack on the buffalo near a watering hole

The 420-pound lion (right) launches an attack on the buffalo near a watering hole

The lion sinks its claws into a 1,900-pound buffalo's thick hide during the hour-long battle

The lion sinks its claws into a 1,900-pound buffalo’s thick hide during the hour-long battle

Eye of the buffalo: This is the moment the buffalo impaled the lion on its right horn and lifted it clear off the ground

Eye of the buffalo: This is the moment the buffalo impaled the lion on its right horn and lifted it clear off the ground

The buffalo charges at the lion as it swipes at the larger beast's feet

The buffalo charges at the lion as it swipes at the larger beast’s feet

The buffalo charges at the lion with its fused horn-shield known as a 'boss'

The buffalo charges at the lion with its fused horn-shield known as a ‘boss’

The lion tries to claw at the buffalo's muzzle but the larger animal stands firm

The lion tries to claw at the buffalo’s muzzle but the larger animal stands firm

Blood pours over the lion's face from its wounds as it bits at the buffalo's muzzle

Blood pours over the lion’s face from its wounds as it bits at the buffalo’s muzzle

The lion tries to swipe at the buffalo's feet, but isn't strong enough to topple its 1,900-pound foe

The lion tries to swipe at the buffalo’s feet, but isn’t strong enough to topple its 1,900-pound foe

The lion looks stunned after the buffalo uses its superior weight to knock its attacker down

The lion looks stunned after the buffalo uses its superior weight to knock its attacker down

 

A valiant final effort as the lion grabs its opponent's head from the ground

A valiant final effort as the lion grabs its opponent’s head from the ground 

The buffalo had back up from others in the herd who were able to overpower the lion

The buffalo had back up from others in the herd who were able to overpower the lion

source: dailymail.co.uk