Buffalo are regarding by many people as one of the most dangerous of Africa's big game. The Buffalo is a gregarious animal and can be found in groups numbering hundreds of animals. Young bull and old bulls are often kicked out of the herd and go on to form bachelor herds or, especially in the case of old bulls, go on to live alone. When a buffalo charges it keeps it head high until the last moment when it lowers it to meet the target. At this time it is only stopped by a fatal or disabling bullet. The buffalo is truly one of Africa's prize trophies and a large trophy has become the focal point of many trophy rooms.
Appearance:
A large and powerful bovine, the African Buffalo reaches shoulder heights of up to 1.5 m and a mass of 750 kg. Both sexes have horns, those of the bulls are characterised by a heavy boss and upward curved horns.
Diet:
Buffalo herds can have significant ecological impact on the veld. Being a bulk grazer, they are responsible for converting long grasslands into short grassy environments conducive to other browsers with more selective feeding habits.
Breeding:
Mating occurs between March and May. Gestation period is 330 days. Single calves are born between January and April, with a distinct peak in February. African Buffalo are strongly gregarious. Stable herds of up to several hundred are often observed, but which fragment into smaller herds in times of drought.
Behavior:
Mainly preyed upon by lions. When a herd member is attacked, others will rush to its defense. Collectively a number of buffalo are more than capable to stave off an attack by an entire pride of lions. A wounded buffalo bull is regarded as most dangerous by hunters, and is one of the reasons why this animal is included into the so-called 'big five'. This trait is the origin of many hunting adventures, myths and legends.
Where they are found:
An inhabitant of woodland savannas, large herds of African Buffalo are encountered in the Kruger National Park, with smaller herds in Zululand and the Eastern Cape.
African Buffalo featured in the following areas:
Addo Elephant Park, Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve, Caprivi Reserve, Chizarira Park, Chobe Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Gona-re-zhou Reserve, Gorongosa Reserve, Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park, Kaudom Reserve, Kruger Park, Loskopdam Reserve, Madikwe Game Reserve, Mahango Reserve, Mala Mala, Mamili Reserve, Manapools Park, Manyeleti Reserve, Marakele Reserve, Matetsi Reserve, Matusadona Park, Moremi Reserve, Mudumu Reserve, Ndumo Reserve, Nxaipan Reserve, PercyFyfe Reserve, Pilanesberg National Park, Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Sabi Sabi Game Reserve, Selati Reserve, St Lucia Wetlands Reserve, Thomas Baines Reserve, Timbavati Reserve, Vaalbos National Park, Waterberg Plato Reserve, Weenen Reserve, Willem Pretorius Reserve
http://www.12234455.co.za
0 comments:
Post a Comment