SANParks.org Forums

Thanks Nico, He did not appear to be a large or heavy bull but he certainly had the widest horns I have seen on any buffalo.

this is a very interesting forum, but my main question is that if a collared and chipped animal is to be killed won't the lion digest the chip.

Yes, the chip should be digested!

Interestingly, buff records are measured simply by the width between the extremities of the horns...not the length or anything.

Wonderful buff this one - number one bull but 2nd to Ndloti's buff cow on page 15 !

Keep sending in those big buff photos - they certainly are as attractive as the big tuskers !

Thanks richprins would be akward though

and a huge herd this is only a few but there were an estimated 170

Ndloti

That is just amazing

Bornfree

Ndloti, great pic of a most unusual set of horns.

Kruger bulls are generally big but this young bull is going to be huge. His boss (Centre of horns above the eyes) is still smooth and undeveloped and he is still growing out odf his current size shown at the tips. Look how wide the horns are already and they were wider/bigger than the herd bull

Lanzerac,

That is truly a magnificent buffalo - mid life with horns already in the 44" - 48" class. I just love the large open sweeping curl of his horns.

If he can survive without breaking his horns, then he is destined to exceed 50" at the end of his life.

Where did you encounter him ? Buff herds are roughly territorial and other visitors to the same area can be on the look out for him.

100ponder I just love to encounter a large herd of buff in the road especially on a quiet road like the S90 at Bangu windmill where this was taken. Its a herd of about 400-450 buff. They seem to hang around this windmill and the bangu dam (only accessable if you do the Olifants Wilderness Trail and you request a walk in that area.) I have also encountered them at the Hlaleni Spruit where it crosses the S90 5 kms back towards Balule camp.

Interesting it was my first morning in the Kruger last year Aug at Balule first stop and as I do every morning from Balule..I go straight to Bangu without fail first thing. I arrived at the waterhole in the pre sunrise gloom and scanned...Doves and elephant dung a few days old but I was still getting my 'bush eyes'. Natal Francolin started calling frantically along that spruit I had just crossed as you approach the windmill. I let it go ...thought the were just saying hello to a new day. But it got louder and louder so I started up and pointed back towards Balule only to see 4 HUGE Black maned lions in single file 200m metres in front crossing the road from left to right and up that no entry 2 strip road.

I drove up and there they were plodding over the hill and 300 metres in front was this herd of buff running across the road right to left at the sight and scent of this serious cat parade. So 2nd prize I went to the buff who had now slowed to a slow shuffle and they let me into their midst. I recognised the herd bull at the rear a huge fellow with about 43" spread but the thickest rutted boss out. Soon the interest started to focus on me with buff all around me with the engine off and windows open..naturally its Kruger. Then I saw this fellow in the pic above. As you say he is going to be record class in his old age. Bangu cooks at sunrise sometimes so UI really work it hard ina 10 day period.. I hope you and other forumites find the herd it was a real privaledge to see 4 x Big lion and this future Buff king all at a real favorite awterhole and not another car in sight

Could hold this one for myself:

Great shots everyone. Lanzerac that is one fine young bull there. I have seen a herd near Bangu but did not see that guy. I will keep a lookout for him when I am next at Satara