It is said “When southern africa’s Cape Buffalo clash horns, it is the equivalent to a car hitting a brick wall at fifty kilometres an hour”.
At the age of ten the Cape Buffalo Bull has an increase in his testosterone which peaks over 300% above normal blood testosterone levels. This enables him to fight for rank and thus gain breeding right’s.
The Buffalo bull within the structure of the herd needs to fight to establish rank within the herd. When on the move the Buffalo Bulls position themselves depending on rank. The Herd Bulls of high rank “Breeding Bulls” will situate at the front and to the side, whilst the subordinate bulls situate at the rear.
There is clear reason for this which is primarily to access the best grazing and thus maintain condition. This is especially relevant during the dry season when there is a drastic shortage of good grazing and browse of good nutritional value.
The high ranking breeding bulls are mainly the older Buffalo, as they will be big bodied enough to win fights. these are typically between the age’s of 10-13 years of age. By walking at the front they get good nutrition and so will maintain a better physical condition.
When the buffalo cow comes into season, she will play “hard to get” so as to ensure that only the Bulls with the best gene’s procreate with her.
While on their african safari, the guests with me never thought they’d get to see something so unique, although neither did I.
From the age of 13, the bulls tire physically. Known as “Dagga Boys” they suffer from mite’s, ticks and other infestations so will tend to bathe in mud for relief.
Dagga is an Ndebele name for mud.
They typically leave the herd and thus will live singly or within small batchelor groups. The young herd bulls will often leave the breeding herds from age 8 and will join the Dagga boys to regain physical stength and condition to be able to once again fight for rank as the day to day life continues of a Buffalo Bull in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.
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