SANParks.org Forums

Hi all buffalo aficionados,

By now you all know my fascination with big horn buffalo.

To illustrate my estimate method I am posting the below photo of a five year old buffalo bull whose horns were measured at 50” before the game auction where he was sold for a new all-out record price.

On this photo it can be seen that each horn extends close to one ear length beyond the ear’s tip – so this can be used as a reliable indicator of size when it comes to buffalo horn width.



This is a digital copy of a photo that was published on the front page of BEELD news paper on 27-09-2011 and from the caption it can be seen that it was originally published in LANDBOUWEEKBLAD magazine.

Saw this big fella up at Shingwedzi last week.

Beautiful Flutterby It's not just the ellies that are big up north
Saw this guy near Punda last month

It seems to me the Buffs in central and Northern Kruger are larger than the South

On the S142, south-east of the Notomeni Pan (I stand to be corrected on the precise location) we were very privileged to witness a fight between 2 old buffalo bulls. The fight lasted all of about 10 minutes, all within 5-10m of the road. It was astonishing to not only hear but also at times feel the impacts during the fight. More astonishing still was the sight of the one bull (who ended up being the victor) flipping the other buffalo completely over onto its back! Unfortunately the pics of this did not come out well at all. Both bulls walked away with various injuries, the victor having received a horn slash just under his left eye. It was a sighting that will definitely not be easily forgotten. This happened on the 9th of April this year. Here are a small amount of pics from the fight:

Wow!1

And "eina" (ouch)

Great sighting Ranred!
Yep! these big old brutes have that look in their eye like you owe them money

Can someone help me...
1. Why do some buffalo have numbers op their rumps? Here is a photo of no:45
2. why do some have very swollen eyelids?
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8164/7202167056_989d00dc99_c.jpg
Sorry i have problems uploading photos from Flicker

Too many late nights ?

I love buffalo's , they are so much like cows , curious , enquisitive etc .

Saw this big guy with a serious pair of horns at Klopperfontein last month .

Never seen any buff with numbers - but will now look out for it.

Re swollen eyes - wrong eye cream - not compatible with skin type

Should think it is because of all the fightings - and old age - re-arrange the sensitive skin around the eyes.

I think the numbers are used to monitor the different herds for bovine TB that is a serious problem in the park.
These individual animals can then be darted and checked by veterinarians to see if they have contracted the disease or not. This data can then be used to see how many herds have animals infected with TB in them and how many herds are disease free.

I think you are right Roan . Also seen many animals with what appear to be white brandmarks on them .

Thanks Roan! We have seen no 45 twice on the tar road H1-3.

A photo of a buffalo in the Sabie river close to Skukuza in the Kruger National Park.



Did You Know?
The life expectancy of a buffalo is between 15 to 20 years.