This lucky buffalo calf survived not one, but two lion attacks within seconds of each other thanks to its herd fighting off the predators.

Paola Sibona was on a tour of the Sabie River in South Africa when two lionesses and a lion set off after a group of 35 buffaloes.

Dramatic footage captured the moment one of the younger buffaloes managed to slip through the grasp of one of the lionesses before eventually being tackled to the ground by the male lion.

Initially outnumbered by the male and one female, three of the herd turned back and butted the predators away before creating a shield around the calf so it could return to the safety of its group.

Paola said: “I was watching the lions in the dry part of the riverbed, relaxed and really camouflaged in the sand.

“The buffalo herd cross the road just in front of us and were walking towards the lions but couldn’t see them, so we knew that something was going to happen.

“Adult buffalo intervention made the male lion fly away. Without them, I don’t believe the calf would have survived.

“After the missed attack, four adult buffalos made a screen to protect the rest of the herd, while the calf ran to the safety of the middle of the herd.

“In the beginning, I was trying to understand the hunting tactic of the lions.

“During the hunt, my feelings were split between the excitement and the sadness of a young animal possibly dying. Fortunately, this time it escaped.

“The buffalo herd was composed of 30 adults and five calves, around 1 year old. There were two lionesses and a lion.

“I'm a bush lover and safaris are my favourite activity.”

ucky buffalo calf survived not one, but two lion attacks within seconds of each other thanks to its herd fighting off the predators.

Paola Sibona was on a tour of the Sabie River in South Africa when two lionesses and a lion set off after a group of 35 buffaloes.

Dramatic footage captured the moment one of the younger buffaloes managed to slip through the grasp of one of the lionesses before eventually being tackled to the ground by the male lion.

Initially outnumbered by the male and one female, three of the herd turned back and butted the predators away before creating a shield around the calf so it could return to the safety of its group.

Paola said: “I was watching the lions in the dry part of the riverbed, relaxed and really camouflaged in the sand.

“The buffalo herd cross the road just in front of us and were walking towards the lions but couldn’t see them, so we knew that something was going to happen.

“Adult buffalo intervention made that the male lion flight away. Without them, I don’t believe the calf would have survived.

“After the missed attack, four adult buffalos made a screen to protect the rest of the herd, while the calf ran to the safety of the middle of the herd.

“At the beginning, I was trying to understand the hunting tactic of the lions.

“During the hunt my feelings were split between the excitement and the sadness of a young animal possibly dying. Fortunately, this time it escaped.

“The buffalo herd was composed of 30 adults and five calves, around one-year-old. There were two lionesses and a lion.

“I'm a bush lover and safaris are my favourite activity.”