The Defassa waterbuck is further divided into five subspecies; The East Africa Defassa which can be hunted in North and western parts of Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda. These groups are either nursery herds with females and their offspring or bachelor herds. In equatorial regions, breeding takes place throughout the year, but births are at their peak in the rainy season. These subspecies can be distinguished by differences in coat colouration, rump patterns, genetics (Lorenzen et al. Defassa waterbuck. Numbers have fallen in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Akagera National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Comoé National Park. Though bereft of horns, mothers will fiercely defend their offspring from predators. One would expect Waterbuck to be great jumpers but they are in fact fence creepers. Tanzania. [8][11], The gestational period lasts for seven to eight months, followed by the birth of a single calf. Measurements indicate greater tail length in the latter, whereas the common waterbuck stand taller than the defassa waterbuck. [10] The mother eats the afterbirth. There are two subspecies of Waterbuck: Defassa Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa) Common Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus) Interesting Facts Predators don't usually choose older Waterbuck to hunt as their meat has an unpleasant odour due to the waterproofing secretions of their sweat glands. [1], Waterbuck inhabit scrub and savanna areas alongside rivers, lakes and valleys. Search by Animal, Location, a keyword or a combination of any of the three. A study in the Ruwenzori Range showed that the mean density of waterbuck was 5.5 per square mile, and estimates in the Maasai Mara were as low as 1.3 per square mile. The population trend for both the common and defassa waterbuck is downwards, especially that of the latter, with large populations being eliminated from certain habitats because of hunting and human disturbance. Oestrus lasts for a day or less. The male have long dark horns, pointing a little bit to the back. The waterbuck is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa.The Defassa Waterbuck is considered threatened in its native land; however, these beautiful animals are thriving on our member’s ranches. By far, the majority of Waterbuck hunts take place in South Africa, primarily in the Northern and Eastern Limpopo Province. Photos showing the difference between the two. 1. SCI MINIMUM SCORE: 70 (Length of both horns + circumference of bases). Waterbucks are quite common on the African savannah, south of the Sahara. Threat displays, dung and urine scent marking are used to demarcate their territories, but when that doesn’t work, Waterbucks will literally fight to the death,  and are often killed from wounds inflicted during territorial combat. The common waterbuck can tolerate slightly drier habitats, but the defassa waterbuck requires a region that gets an average of at least 30 inches (750 mm) of rain annually. The common waterbuck can tolerate slightly drier habitats, but the defassa waterbuck requires a region that gets … a newborn typically weighs 13.6 kg (30 lb), and growth in weight is faster in males than in females. The head-and-body length is typically between 177–235 cm (70–93 in) and the average height is between 120 and 136 cm (47 and 54 in). Add to Likebox #90904221 - Waterbuck in grass in Mauritius. A few females may form spinster herds. But i know that in southern africa 30"+ is common or should i … It is placed in the genus Kobus of the family Bovidae. No extensive experience on waterbuck, but have taken quite a few and find that it is very difficult to judge 'sealed' horn bases on waterbuck. It was first described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833. Zimbabwe. This species was transferred to the genus Kobus in 1840, becoming K. ellipsiprymnus. The common waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck in the same area may differ in their choices; it has been observed that while the former preferred Heteropogon contortus and Cynodon dactylon, the latter showed less preference for these grasses. [15], Males start showing territorial behaviour from the age of five years, but are most dominant from the age of six to nine. The IUCN lists the waterbuck as being of Least Concern. [17] After the age of ten years, males lose their territorial nature and replaced by a younger bull, following which they recede to a small and unprotected area. The thirteen subspecies are grouped under two varieties: the common or Ellipsiprymnus waterbuck and the Defassa waterbuck. On release, the first thing a Waterbuck will do is a boundary fence patrol in search of any weak spots to escape (, Eight Questions about Mule Deer Hunting Answered by Guides and Outfitters, learn more about evolution of high fence operations in. separate species, the Defassa Waterbuck and the Common Waterbuck are now listed as the subspecies Kobus ellipsiprymnus defassa and K. e. ellipsiprymnus, respectively. To Ernest Hemingway, an avid hunter, there was ‘no more ruggedly handsome animal in all of Africa’ than the Waterbuck, with its long lyre-shaped forward sweeping horns. Newborn calves can stand on their feet within a half-hour of birth. Bowhunters should for this reason always opt to hunt later in the season rather than take a chance of hunting too early in the year. The secret is to ensure that the fur does not touch the meat while skinning. Dominant territorial bulls in most instances will not tolerate other mature bulls and will pursue other bulls relentlessly. WEIGHS 550 POUNDS. In the dry season about 32 percent of the 24-hour day was spent in browsing, whereas no time was spent on it during the wet season. [17] Though females are seldom aggressive, minor tension may arise in herds. Some scientists consider the defassa waterbuck to be a separate species. Hunting trips for Common Waterbuck. Males reach approximately 127 cm (50 in) at the shoulder, while females reach 119 cm (47 in). It is a sexually dimorphic antelope, with the males nearly 7 percent taller than females and around 8 percent longer. However, it has been observed that unlike the other members of its genus (such as the kob and puku), the waterbuck ranges farther into the woodlands while maintaining its proximity to water. Pregnant females isolate themselves in thickets as parturition approaches. A gregarious animal, the waterbuck may form herds consisting of six to 30 individuals. The waterbuck is split between two groupings of the 13 subspecies: the Ellipsiprymnus waterbuck and the Defassa waterbuck. They inhabit areas close to water and where grass is plentiful. [12] The facial features include a white muzzle and light eyebrows and lighter insides of the ears. [12] Due to their requirement for grasslands as well as water, the waterbuck have a sparse distribution across ecotones (areas of interface between two different ecosystems). This rather large antelope is mostly a grazer, and is often spotted in open grassland or floodplains. NOTE: In East Africa, there are two species of water bucks; the Common waterbuck and the Defassa waterbuck, distinguished only by the white pattern on the rump. Waterbuck, Common. Obviously, some habitats make for easier bow hunting, such as desert or semi-arid country hunts as opposed to well watered high rainfall mountainous areas. [14], The common waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck are remarkably different in their physical appearances. [20] With grasses constituting a substantial 70 to 95 percent of the diet, the waterbuck is predominantly a grazer frequenting grasslands. As soon as the day warms up they will be driven to water to quench their thirst. The face is marked with white around the nose, mouth, above the eyes and on the throat. [10] Females may conceive by the age of two-and-a-half years, and remain reproductive for another ten years. [4], The type specimen of the waterbuck was collected by South African hunter-explorer Andrew Steedman in 1832. A rudimentary horn in the form of a bone lump may be found on the skulls of females. Defassa Waterbuck Hunts The Defassa Waterbuck is recognised by not having the white ring on its hump, it is also slightly smaller than its common cousin. More specifically, the common waterbuck is listed as of Least Concern while the defassa waterbuck is Near Threatened. Waterbuck venison is now packaged and sold accordingly and no longer sold or disguised as salami (cured sausage), in homemade boerewors (farmer sausage) or biltong (a type of salted jerky). It is a sexually dimorphic antelope, with the males nearly 7 percent taller than females and around 8 percent longer. Marking of territories includes no elaborate rituals - dung and urine are occasionally dropped. Breeding Mating activities peak during winter, but it can occur at lower intensity the year round. The Waterbuck is a large antelope found widely in sub-Saharan Africa. The waterbuck is one of the heaviest antelopes. Mozambique. Though they occur in Zambia as well, their ranges are separated by relief features or by the Muchinga escarpment. Even though classified as separate species they hybridise. An associate of mine has been charged and chased round and round a tree on more than one occasion. Scientific name. The common waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck are remarkably different in their physical appearances. The thirteen subspecies are grouped under two varieties: the common or ellipsen waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck. The slightly smaller of the two species is the ringless Defassa Waterbuck which has a darker complexion. This specimen was named Antilope ellipsiprymnus by Ogilby in 1833. Always be ready for the unexpected. [11], Waterbuck are susceptible to ulcers, lungworm infection and kidney stones. [15], The waterbuck is native to southern and eastern Africa (including countries such as Angola, Botswana, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda) besides a few countries of western and northern Africa such as Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal. Their head and body length range from 177 – 235 cm and shoulder height from 120 – 136 cm. Their noisy, somewhat clumsy movement often leads to them dislodging small stones and giving away their position. The common wate… [6] On the basis of Valerius Geist's theories about the relation of social evolution and dispersal in ungulates during the Pleistocene,[7] the ancestral home of the waterbuck is considered to be the eastern coast of Africa - with the Horn of Africa to the north and the East African Rift Valley to the west. Reeds and rushes like Typha and Phragmites may also be preferred. Choose from the packages below to learn more about hunting Common Waterbuck and to request trip information. The coat colour varies from brown to grey. The common waterbuck has a large elliptical ring around the rump while the defassa subspecies have a solid white rump patch. The greater the age of the animal or the denser the populations, the smaller are the territories. The Waterbuck was described in 1833 from a specimen shot near Gaborone, the capital of. Breeding Mating activities peak during winter, but it can occur at lower intensity the year round. Try Our Top Safaris 0 Even though classified as separate species they hybridise. Lowering of the head and the body depict submission before the territorial male, who stands erect. However, gradually they may deprive the actual owner of his territory and seize the area for themselves. Defassa waterbuck have long bodies and necks and short legs, coarse hair, and a mane on their necks. Our experience, which may or may not be typical, was that we saw much more of the defassa waterbuck than the ellipsen waterbuck. In some marginal Waterbuck habitat areas they can become very prone to excessive tick loads especially during extended dry weather patterns. [20] Waterbuck may run into cover when alarmed, and males often attack predators. The oldest female (around 18 years old) had the smallest home range. The waterbuck of Botswana is the common subspecies with the distinctive white ring on its rump. For many years the venison from a Waterbuck has been regarded as not really palatable. Waterbuck are categorised as bulk grazers, feeding on tall grass with a high fibre content. The waterbuck is a big African antelope with a long dark brown coat, a white snout and a white bottom. Habitat loss caused by human encroachment, the construction of roads, development of new settlements and clearing of land for agricultural crops all lead to the fragmentation of precious wildlife habitat which impacts on all wildlife. Waterbuck are never far from permanent water sources. and standing 50 inches at the shoulder. The scientific name of the waterbuck is Kobus ellipsiprymnus. Their own sedentary nature too is responsible for this to some extent. They can also choose to interact with or stay away from other groups. Hyparrhenia involucrata, Acroceras amplectens and Oryza barthii along with annual species were the main preference in the early rainy season, while long life grasses and forage from trees constituted three-fourths of the diet in the dry season. [15], Waterbuck are slower than other antelopes in terms of the rate of maturity. Featured. The Waterbuck is one of the largest African antelopes, and as its name implies, its habitat is never far from water. We provide the best customer services that captures the heart of both local and foreign tourists. Photo of a waterbucks head close up showing the rings on the horns. These herds may be dominated by a territorial bull which in some circumstances will tolerate satellite bulls. Waterbuck tend to be active during the day but their activity is dependent on their proximity to water, the number of predators in the area, grazing conditions, habitat and seasonal differences. They were classified into two groups: the ellipsen waterbuck group and the defassa waterbuck group. To Ernest Hemingway, an avid hunter, there was, with its long lyre-shaped forward sweeping horns. South Africa. Older bulls have thicker bases and more pronounced ridges along its horn length but you may lose a little on the length due to years of wear and tear. A sexually dimorphic antelope, males are taller as well as heavier than females. In my backyard, anything from 25" is fair game and a 30" is a grand trophy. Hunting for commercial purposes is a major threat to the waterbuck. [15] A study found regular consumption of three grass species round the year: Panicum anabaptistum, Echinochloa stagnina and Andropogon gayanus. The Defassa Waterbuck is recognised by not having the white ring on its hump, it is also slightly smaller than its common cousin. Add to Likebox ... #87634522 - Common waterbuck in Kruger National Park, South Africa; Specie.. The Waterbuck grazes mainly grass near permanent water sources. Measurements indicate greater tail length in the latter, whereas the common waterbuck stand taller than the … [1], The common waterbuck is found east of the Eastern African Rift. However, they are strong swimmers, and when chased by predators they unhesitatingly take to the water to evade certain death. The common waterbuck occurs in Tsavo, Tarangire, Mikumi, Kruger and Lake Nakuru National Parks, Laikipia, Kajiado, Luangwa Valley, Selous and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi game reserves and private lands in South Africa. Range: Defassa waterbuck live west of the Rift, Luangwa, and middle Zambesi valleys. More specifically, the common waterbuck is listed as of Least Concern while the defassa waterbuck is Near Threatened. Search. Choose from the packages below to learn more about hunting Common Waterbuck and to request trip information. The slightly smaller of the two species is the ringless. The defassa waterbuck does have a wider distribution in Africa than the ellipsen. The waterbuck is the largest amongst the six species of Kobus. These are the areas you need to check first thing in the morning and late afternoon. [2], 37 subspecies of the waterbucks had been initially recognised on the basis of coat colour. The common waterbuck lives in Southeast Africa, east of the Great Rift Valley. The common waterbuck has a conspicuous white ring encircling a dark rump, while the Defassa has wide white patches on either side of the rump. Herd size increases in summer, whereas groups fragment in the winter months, probably under the influence of food availability. [5], Not many fossils of the waterbuck have been found. Wounded Waterbuck are difficult to track as the thick shaggy coat tends to absorb the blood making it very difficult to follow or even find a blood spoor. [2] The head-and-body length is typically between 177–235 cm (70–93 in) and the average height is between 120 and 136 cm (47 and 54 in). The Waterbuck grazes mainly grass near permanent water sources. When sexually excited, the skin of the waterbuck secretes a greasy substance with the odour of musk, giving it the name "greasy kob". Common Waterbuck: South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and Sudan. Photo of a waterbucks head close up showing the rings on the horns. The choice of grasses varies with location rather than availability; for instance, in western Uganda, while Sporobolus pyramidalis was favoured in some places, Themeda triandra was the main choice elsewhere. Defassa Waterbuck. Defassa waterbuck have long bodies and necks and short legs, coarse hair, and a mane on their necks. The Uganda defassa waterbuck is a large African antelope which in western Uganda breeds throughout the year. Hybrids occur where Defassa Waterbuck Safari: Summary Defassa Waterbuck Safari in a nutshell. Internal parasites found in waterbuck include tapeworms, liverflukes, stomachflukes and several helminths. The waterbuck cannot tolerate dehydration in hot weather, and thus inhabits areas close to sources of water. A zone for intermediate-patterned Defassa Waterbuck and Common Waterbuck in central Kenya is narrow and lies in south Samburu County. The common waterbuck has a conspicuous white ring encircling a dark rump. It also has large, rounded ears and white patches above the eyes, and around the nose and mouth and throat. Measurements indicate greater tail length in the latter, whereas the common waterbuck stand taller than the defassa waterbuck. Although both of these subspecies are equally remarkable, there are some physical differences that separate them. The common Waterbuck has a conspicuous white ring encircling a dark rump, while the defassa has wide white patches on either side of the rump. They have a strong musky scent that is produced by an oily secretion coating the fur, which helps them to identify other waterbuck. The slightly smaller of the two species is the ringless Defassa Waterbuck which has a darker complexion. One game farmer said to me, “If you want to keep a Waterbuck on your property, the best is to release it on your neighbour’s farm and rest assured they will break into your farm and be happy to stay.”. Defassa waterbuck standing near trees. Botswana. They are unaffected by tsetse flies but ticks may introduce parasitic protozoa such as Theileria parva, Anaplasma marginale and Baberia bigemina. The Defassa waterbuck can be found in a strip from the Guinea coastline to about the middle of Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya. a newborn typically weighs 13.6 kg (30 lb), and growth in w… With the aid of modern day technology, camera traps can be used to pattern and judge the trophy quality of the animals visiting these waterholes. However, free roaming Waterbuck are regularly sold on catalogue at game auctions where they are captured by using a game capture boma (coral) or passive capture site and delivered directly to the buyer’s property. Common & Defassa Waterbuck in Tanzania. In a study in the Lake Nakuru National Park, only 7 percent of the adult males held territories, and only half of the territorial males tolerated one or more satellite males. Predominantly a grazer, the waterbuck is mostly found on grassland. HORN LENGTH OF INCHES 27. Though formerly widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, its numbers have now decreased in most areas. Planet Food. Records indicate that the best trophy hunting is in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Waterbuck have been introduced to many game ranches extending their historical distribution range across South Africa and parts of Namibia where they are now commonly hunted animals. The defassa is found in West Africa, from eastern Senegal east to western Ethiopia and then selectively south to western Zambia. Males are darker than females. Waterbuck have a fairly sparse long shaggy coat covered in a greasy, unpleasant musky smelling substance. The waterbuck is one of the six species of the genus Kobus and belongs to the family Bovidae. This is used as a ‘follow me sign’ and not as a target for a desperate hunter taking a “Texas heart shot”. Try Our Top Safaris 0 Zambia. Other diseases from which these animals suffer are foot-and-mouth disease, sindbis fever, yellow fever, bluetongue, bovine virus diarrhoea, brucellosis and anthrax. [8] Calves are kept hidden from two to three weeks up to two months. [11], Mating begins after the male confirms that the female is in oestrus, which he does by sniffing her vulva and urine. Due to their requirement for grasslands as well as water, the waterbuck have a sparse ecotone distribution. This rather shaggy-haired antelope is noted for its association with water and its strong musky scent. Waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus Kob, Kobus kob Waterbuck, Uganda-kob, ... Lechwe, Kobus leche Nile Lechwe, Kobus megaceros Puku, Kobus vardonii Defassa waterbuck, Kobus defassa?? [2] Interbreeding between the two takes place in the Nairobi National Park owing to extensive overlapping of habitats. Namibia. [3] Females have home ranges stretching over 200–600 hectares (0.77–2.32 sq mi; 490–1,480 acres). [1] Population decrease in the Lake Nakuru National Park has been attributed to heavy metal poisoning. We offer no compromise on affordable quality, comfort and convenience. Common & Defassa Waterbuck in Tanzania. The common waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck are remarkably different in their physical appearances. These large antelopes drink water daily and also prefer the quality grass that … They enjoy the early morning sun after a chilly night so make sure to glass the area over. South Africa. The common race occurs in these valleys to the eastern seaboard. They are distinguished only by the pattern on their rump. Another interesting fact is that most wildlife experts agree that the white circle around a Waterbuck’s hindquarters serves to assist other animals in the group to navigate while fleeing from danger or a predator. Considering it a separate species, Rüppell gave it the Amharic name "defassa" waterbuck and scientific name Antilope defassa. Another favourite grazing area is recently burnt areas. While cadmium and lead levels were dangerously high in the kidney and the liver, deficiencies of copper, calcium and phosphorus were noted. This is the largest of the, are known by their trademark white ring around its rump. Waterbuck are characterised by a long neck and short, strong and black legs. Waterbuck have a fairly sparse long shaggy coat covered in a greasy, unpleasant musky smelling substance. It was first described by Irish naturalist William Ogilby in 1833. [3] The animal acquired the vernacular name "waterbuck" due to its heavy dependence on water as compared to other antelopes and its ability to enter into water for defence. These two subspecies are found in two neighboring defined regions in Africa. The Defassa waterbuck is further divided into five subspecies; The East Africa Defassa which can be hunted in North and western parts of Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda. The common waterbuck and the defassa waterbuck are remarkably different in their physical appearances. The benchmark for a good quality Waterbuck is 28 inches and anything from 30 inches or more is out the top draw. [22], Though the defassa waterbuck were found to have a much greater requirement for protein than the African buffalo and the Beisa oryx, the waterbuck was found to spend much less time on browsing (eating leaves, small shoots and fruits) in comparison to the other grazers.
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