Cape Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
Cape Buffalo are a heavy, cow-like animals usually dark grey or black in colour. Both males and females have heavy curved horns which are joined in the middle by a hard shield called a “boss” in large males.
Cape Buffalo are extremely sociable animals living in large herds consisting of related cows and their offspring, accompanied by four or five breeding bulls. Each herd has a “pathfinder” that leads the way to pasture and water.
Due to their size and aggressive nature Cape Buffalo have a formidable reputation – particularly when injured or cornered – earning them a place as one of Africa’s “Big Five”.
Conservation
Cape Buffalo face several conservation challenges, including habitat fragmentation and conflicts with humans. In East Africa, buffalo are known to break fences and tear through crops. Cape Buffalo are also sometimes poached for bushmeat.
- Species
- Cape Buffalo
- Length
- 2.4-3.4 m
- Horn length
- 66-166 cm
- Height
- 1.5-1.8 m
- Weight
- 350-900kg
- Speed
- 50 km/h
- Calf
- 1
- Range
- Throughout Sub-Saharan Africa
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
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