African Buffalo

The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is one of the largest bovds in Africa. It is only distantly related to other species of wild cattle. Bulls are larger than cows and shoulder heights can reach 1.7 m (5.6 ft), with weights up to 900 kg (2,000 lb.). It has a long stocky body with shorter legs than some of its relatives.

There are three recognized subspecies of African buffalo, all quite different in appearance. The most well-known and numerous is the Cape buffalo (S. c. caffer). It is also the largest, with big powerful horns and a dark grey to brownish coat. It is found on the savannas of East & Southern Africa. The forest buffalo (S. c. nanus) is the smallest, weighing up to 320 kg (705 lb), with smaller horns and a reddish-brown coat. The forest buffalo is found in the tropical rainforests of central and western Africa. The third subspecies, the West African savanna buffalo (S. c. brachyceros) looks like a hybrid between the Cape and forest buffalo and reach weights up to 700 kg (1,500 lb.). It is found on savannas from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the East. This subspecies is sometimes split into two further subspecies, with the eastern populations classified as the Central African savanna buffalo (S. c. aequinoctialis).

This page focuses mainly on the more common Cape buffalo, which is the one I’ve seen.

African buffaloes are grazers and prefer habitats with dense cover and constant access to water. It is common to find buffaloes in swamps and floodplains, often in the cover of tall reeds. As long as water can be reached on a daily basis it is not constrained by habitat and can also be found in open grasslands and woodlands.

Buffaloes feel more protected when residing inside the herd, and the herd will come to the rescue if any single individual is in trouble. During a predator attack, buffaloes normally stand their ground and will try to fight back. Because of this the big herds are generally safer to approach on foot because they know they have the advantage in numbers if anything should happen. It is typically the older solitary bulls that are the most dangerous. They have no protection but themselves, except when they live in pairs or small groups. Without the protection of the herd they are therefore more likely to attack anything they perceive as a threat. These bulls, often called “dagga boys” in South Africa, are responsible for killing almost 200 people a year.

There are few animals that regularly prey on buffalo, and lions are the only animal to commonly hunt them, with crocodiles also catching and killing buffalo from time to time. The Cape buffalo is highly aggressive and unpredictable and will defend itself and its young viciously. They are known to follow the scent of lions and will try to kill both cubs and adult lions as a way of self-preservation. Buffaloes do also occasionally follow humans, and if walking in areas with buffaloes it is important to stay vigilant as they often attack without warning. They very rarely attack vehicles.

The African buffalo is listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List, and the species is in decline. Large populations persist in numerous protected areas, and many of these populations are more or less stable. Some of the dangers to buffalo from man is trophy hunting and poaching, though neither is frequent enough to cause too much of an impact.

African buffaloes are prone to get diseases, such as bovine tuberculosis, and large portions of populations have been wiped out because of this before. Clean populations are rare, and disease-free individuals are very valuable. Prices can vary but some individuals have been sold for several million dollars, making it one of the most expensive animals on the African game market. Diseases will stay dormant in a population as long as the general health is good, and thus there is no immediate threat of an outbreak in stable populations.