Buffalo

The Cape buffalo is not going anywhere anytime soon, with significant populations and mega-herds still grazing the savannas of Africa, even though they are a favorite prey for large prides of lion. It may be one of the reasons why their populations are doing well – their only natural predator has suffered significant population declines. As a result of several factors, the Cape buffalo can be considered of "least concern." This species has adapted well to the ever-changing 21st century that we live in today, despite more land in Africa being allocated to agriculture, industry, and housing and more grasslands being devoured by domestic cattle.

Buffalos favor open grassland areas and shrublands or savanna, where they eat a variety of grass and shrub species. In the Kruger National Park, they can be found just about anywhere but are more frequently seen and easier to spot grazing in the open grasslands near the rest camps of Satara and Orpen, where fewer trees are shielding their presence. Savanna areas with more trees and wild bushes that support a herd may also serve as a regular habitat to call home, such as those found in the neighboring regions of the Sabi Sands and Timbavati, which also have great buffalo populations.

Buffalo, like most other grazing herbivores, organize themselves into herds. These herds typically include mothers with their young, although all-male herds are also common among mature and juvenile males, though these are typically smaller. The all-male herds, known as bachelor herds, join female herds to mate during the wet season, leaving when food resources get scarce during the dry season. They often graze with other species, impala most common among them.

Because of their large size, buffalo require lots of food and water to survive. For this reason, they can usually be found near a water source or extensive grasslands where they graze. Young bulls or even calves can be seen play-fighting and chasing each other during the day while mothers keep an eye on them. After the whole herd is done eating, and they decide to move to another location, a high-ranking female or male will usually send out a deeply pitched call indicating that they are going to move, and so their social endeavors continue. They also groom, lick and clean each other during the day. It mainly occurs between mothers and their calves. Adults often mud bath, exfoliating their skin and protecting it from the worst of the sun's rays while also killing lice and other pests, keeping these giant beasts healthy.

After the first rains have fallen, calves will usually be born with lots of vegetation around them to ensure they will be strong and big enough to survive their first dry season. Males typically start to battle it out for mates during the later stages of the rainy season, with the stronger males mating with the more desirable females and weaker males often landing no mates. The gestation period of buffaloes is about 11 and a half months – just long enough for the calves to be born at the beginning of the next rainy season and start the cycle yet again. Female buffaloes start calving or having young at five years old, while males only start competing for mates some three or even four years later.

These animals might seem tough and strong, but even they have natural predators. Lions and crocodiles are the only ones big enough to make prey on buffalo. They stick together when attacked, making it very hard for even a pride of lions to pick one off and deliver the final blow to an adult, though calves always remain vulnerable. Once a buffalo sends out a call of distress, the whole herd responds aggressively. They form a circle, with the calves in the middle, and fend off predators with their large horns, sometimes injuring or even killing an overly invested lioness.