A safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda - October 2007

CAPE BUFFALO
(Syncerus caffer)

The African Buffalo, also known as the Cape Buffalo (which how they are known in Uganda), is one of the largest animals in Africa. A male animal can weigh as much 2000 pounds.

These animals have never been domesticated, unlike the Asian Water Buffalo. And they pose a threat to human beings, killing many each year.   They live in herds dominated by the females. The males tend to live in bachelor groups with hierarchical relationships. During the mating season, the males fight with each other for dominance and to attract females.  

In the Queen Elizabeth Park, they are frequently found in or near the water with hippos. They may wander off to feed, and old males tend to be solitary. The bulls are called “Boss.” We saw one all to himself, with thick crusted mud. We thought he didn’t look well, but was probably just of advanced age.