Cape Buffalo

Fearless Defender
The Cape buffalo is one of the largest animals on the African plains. The live everywhere south of the Sahara Desert. They travel in great herds, sometimes containing hundreds of animals—even as many as 1,000. Males can weigh 1,500 lbs. and females 1,000 lbs. Yet, as large as they are, they can run at almost 37 miles an hour. They live for about 16 years. 

Their size doesn't scare off the oxpecker birds who ride on their backs and feed off the parasites living there. Cape buffalo mainly graze but will eat leaves off bushes. They also need plenty of drinking water and usually stick close to rivers and lakes. 

Other than humans, Cape buffalo have few predators and can defend themselves against lions and other meat eaters. They are very aggressive and will even chase off lions that are not hunting. While lions may attack the very young and the very old, healthy adults will come to their rescue. Cape buffalo are very dangerous and also attack people that get too close.