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Cape buffalo
Cape buffalo
Cape buffalo
Physical characteristics
Hair color

Black, brown, gray, and pink

Eye color

Black, brown, and green

Distinctions

   Horns
   Humps on backs

Sociocultural characteristics
Habitat

Savanna

Dominions

Pride Lands

Diet

Grass

Notable members

Vuruga Vuruga

Oh, the buffalo have got a beef about this season's grass...
Zazu delivers his morning report to Mufasa[src]

Cape buffalo (also known as buffalo) are a species of animal native to the Pride Lands. They feed on grass.

History[]

Simba's presentation[]

Cape buffalo attended the presentation of Simba, the prince heir of Pride Rock.[1]

Famine[]

Under Scar's reign, the Pride Lands suffered a famine, and the cape buffalo fled the kingdom. Once Simba deposed Scar and became the new king, they returned to the Pride Lands.[1]

Kiara's presentation[]

Cape buffalo attended the presentation of Kiara, the princess heir of Pride Rock.[2]

Flood at Lake Kiziwa[]

Everyone, follow me! Now!
Kion leads several cape buffalo away from a flood[src]

When Lake Kiziwa flooded, Kion implored several cape buffalo to follow him to safety. In following Kion, the cape buffalo ran into a dead-end canyon, and Kion was forced to use the Roar of the Elders to divert the floodwaters. Later, a cape buffalo enjoyed a new water hole that had been created by the flood.[3]

Kupatana[]

Several Pride Landers, including two cape buffalo, had their food stolen by Reirei's pack.

Later, several cape buffalo attended the Kupatana celebration. In the midst of the ceremony, Reirei's pack attacked, and the Pride Landers worked together to defeat them. Once the jackals had been driven away, the Kupatana celebration continued, and the Pride Landers feasted on baobab blossoms.[4]

Mudslide[]

Lion Guard! Ono's found dry ground. We gotta round up the buffalo and guide them over there fast!
―Kion leads the Lion Guard[src]

One day, a herd of cape buffalo fled a mudslide, and the Lion Guard guided them to dry ground. In trying to flee the mudslide, a cape buffalo got stuck in the mud and fell behind the rest of its herd. Per Kion's instructions, Beshte and Bunga doubled back and pulled the straggler free. Ono then reported to Kion that the cape buffalo were safe.[5]

Geyser eruption[]

We've gotta stop them before they trample everything in their path!
―Kion on a cape buffalo stampede[src]

When a herd of cape buffalo wandered away from their usual grazing grounds, the Lion Guard searched for them and found them grazing near a geyser. Though the team attempted to warn the cape buffalo about the situation, the geyser erupted, and the cape buffalo stampeded away in a panic. However, Fuli managed to calm them down.[6]

Royal Buffalo Wallow[]

And you. I must say, you look ready for the Wallow! Usually, the royals are always so stuffy at these things. But this... This is most impressive! Clearly, you understand what the Buffalo Wallow is all about.
Vuruga Vuruga to Kiara, shortly before the Royal Buffalo Wallow[src]

One day, Simba and Nala charged Kiara with presiding over the Royal Buffalo Wallow on her own. Due to a flash flood, Kiara got disheveled and muddy, and did not have time to clean up before the ceremony. To her surprise, when it came time for the Wallow, Vuruga Vuruga complimented her on her appearance and remarked that she clearly understood what the Wallow was all about. Kiara accepted Vuruga Vuruga's praise but credited her friends, Tiifu and Zuri, with always encouraging her to look her best. She then announced the start of the Wallow, and Vuruga Vuruga's herd charged into a nearby mudhole and wallowed in the mud.[7]

Savannah Summit[]

Elephants, giraffes, gazelle, buffalo, to name a few.
―Zazu on the species involved in the Savannah Summit[src]

Simba invited Vuruga Vuruga to the Savannah Summit as the cape buffalo representative. The morning of the Summit, Vuruga Vuruga and the other Pride Lander leaders gathered at Pride Rock and convened with Simba. Upon learning that Makuu had been invited as well, Vuruga Vuruga and Twiga complained to one another that he was getting a second chance after everything that he and his crocodiles had done. Sensing the other leaders' distrust of Makuu, Simba encouraged them to be cooperative and fair-minded.

2017-07-17-01 49 17

The Pride Lander leaders gather at Pride Rock for the Savannah Summit.

As the Summit continued, Vuruga Vuruga and Twiga conspired to lead Makuu into a trap. Together, they dug a pit and filled it with rotten fruit. Before Makuu could spring the trap, however, the Lion Guard saved him. Kion then announced to the Summit that Makuu had lost his life in the trap, which caused Vuruga Vuruga and Twiga to come clean about their plot. At that moment, Makuu revealed himself and asserted that he had joined the Summit in the hopes of helping his float and the Pride Lands but had received only hostility in return. To the gathered animals' surprise, he prompted for the Summit to go on.

With negotiations re-engaged, Vuruga Vuruga began to argue with Bupu over whose territory would shelter the crocodiles during the dry season.[8]

Tsetse fly attack[]

Buffalo! Slow down!
―Kion, as a herd of cape buffalo flees tsetse flies[src]

A herd of cape buffalo fled a swarm of tsetse flies. The Lion Guard promptly guided the herd to a body of water, and the tsetse flies flew away.[9]

Elephant stampede[]

Vuruga Vuruga! Buffalo! You need to get out of here! Right now!
―Fuli warns Vuruga Vuruga's herd about an elephant stampede[src]

During the Ukumbusho ceremony, a swarm of bees attacked Ma Tembo's herd, and they stampeded across the Pride Lands. Upon noticing that Vuruga Vuruga's herd was in the path of the stampede, Kion ordered Fuli to warn the cape buffalo about the situation. She arrived at the scene, fully costumed, and attempted to move the cape buffalo, but Vuruga Vuruga refused, as their herd was grazing at one of the few grazing grounds left and because she did not recognize Fuli. Seeing no other option, Fuli threatened to eat the cape buffalo, and they fled in fear.[10]

Water dispute[]

But what if there's nothing left by the time we get our turn? I've never seen the water this low. What will we do when it runs out?
―Vuruga Vuruga, during a water dispute with Twiga's herd[src]

When the water holes in the Pride Lands began to shrink as a result of the dry season, Vuruga Vuruga's and Twiga's herds argued over whose turn it was to drink. Kion urged the herds to stay calm and asserted that Simba had a plan. Eventually, the Lion Guard managed to convince Dhahabu to share her watering hole with the Pride Landers.[11]

Stampede[]

Fuli, Ono, calm down the buffalo.
―Kion on a cape buffalo stampede[src]

Ono noticed a herd of cape buffalo heading toward Makuu and his float, and Makuu ordered his crocodiles to reach higher ground. Though the float escaped to safety, the cape buffalo stampede caused a rock to fall and injure Makuu. Once the cape buffalo had passed, Kion sent Fuli and Ono to calm them down.[12]

Destruction of Nyani Grove[]

Fuli, Beshte, stop those buffaloes!
―Kion on a cape buffalo stampede[src]

When Shujaa cut a path through Nyani Grove, he scared several baboons, who jumped onto some nearby cape buffalo. Kion then ordered Beshte and Fuli to calm the cape buffalo down.[13]

Kovu's exile[]

When Simba exiled Kovu from the Pride Lands, the cape buffalo helped drive him away from Pride Rock.[2]

Battle of the Lion Guards[]

Cape buffalo attended the announcement of the Battle of the Lion Guards at Mizimu Grove.[14]

Physical characteristics[]

Cape buffalo are large, muscular, four-legged animals. They can have black, brown, gray, or pink pelts.[15] Cape buffalo have several distinctions, including humps on their backs and thick, curved horns. They can have black, brown, or green eyes.[2][7]

Sociocultural characteristics[]

Buffalo eat whatever we want.
―Vuruga Vuruga[src]

Cape buffalo live in the Pride Lands. They enjoy wallowing in the mud and even have a ceremony, the Royal Buffalo Wallow, dedicated to the activity.[7] They feed on grass.[8]

Notable cape buffalo[]

Appearances[]

Films

Television series

Books

Short stories

Comics

Magazine stories

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Revealed in Disney's The Lion King (1994). Written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton, and directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. Distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Revealed in Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998). Written by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus, and directed by Darrell Rooney. Distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  3. Revealed in "Bunga the Wise" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 1, Episode 3. Written by John Loy and directed by Howy Parkins. Originally aired January 22, 2016.
  4. Revealed in "The Kupatana Celebration" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 1, Episode 6. Written by Elise Allen, John Loy, and Ford Riley, and directed by Howy Parkins. Originally aired February 12, 2016.
  5. Revealed in "Fuli's New Family" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 1, Episode 7. Written by Elise Allen, John Loy, and Ford Riley, and directed by Howy Parkins. Originally aired February 19, 2016.
  6. Revealed in "The Search for Utamu" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 1, Episode 8. Written by Elise Allen, John Loy, and Ford Riley, and directed by Howy Parkins. Originally aired February 26, 2016.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Revealed in "Baboons!" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 1, Episode 18. Written by Kevin Hopps and Jack Monaco, and directed by Howy Parkins. Originally aired September 23, 2016.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Revealed in "The Savannah Summit" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 2, Episode 2. Written by Jack Monaco and directed by Tom Derosier and Howy Parkins. Originally aired July 7, 2017.
  9. Revealed in "Rescue in the Outlands" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 2, Episode 9. Written by Elise Allen and directed by Tom Derosier and Howy Parkins. Originally aired September 29, 2017.
  10. Revealed in "The Ukumbusho Tradition" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 2, Episode 10. Written by Jack Monaco and directed by Howy Parkins. Originally aired October 27, 2017.
  11. Revealed in "The Golden Zebra" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 2, Episode 14. Written by Elise Allen and directed by Howy Parkins. Originally aired January 9, 2018.
  12. Revealed in "The Little Guy" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 2, Episode 15. Written by Gus Constantellis and directed by Tom Derosier and Howy Parkins. Originally aired January 10, 2018.
  13. Revealed in "Beshte and the Beast" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 2, Episode 25. Written by Elise Allen and directed by Tom Derosier and Howy Parkins. Originally aired November 12, 2018.
  14. Revealed in "Return to the Pride Lands" from Disney Junior's The Lion Guard. Season 3, Episode 19. Written by Kendall Michele Haney and Ford Riley, and directed by Tom Derosier and Howy Parkins. Originally aired November 3, 2019.
  15. Revealed in Disney's The Lion King 1½ (2004). Written by Tom Rogers and directed by Bradley Raymond. Distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
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