Buffalos have a reputation as one of the most dangerous animals in the Big Five. They’re known for their fiery temperament and destructive horns, which they use with precision to fight for dominance and attack their enemies. But could these brutes have an Achilles heel?
Buffalos are susceptible to diseases which have in the past caused their population to plummet. Though they may seem to occur in abundance today, buffalos are listed as near threatened by the IUCN. Places such as Kariega Game Reserve in South Africa are one of the few places where disease-free buffalo can live and breed. Monitoring their health and movement is vital for the conservation of the species. Rather than fearing buffalos, we should be intervening for their future.
Up Next in Season 1
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Cheetahs: Fight for survival
It’s no secret that a cheetah’s superpower is its unbeatable speed. But did you know that this is also its downfall? Designed for agility, cheetahs can disappear into the distance at speeds up to 130 kilometres per hour. The naturally shy creatures will go to extreme lengths to avoid confrontatio...
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Hippos
For a land mammal, hippos spend a significantly long time submerged in water – 16 hours a day to be precise. They weigh up to 1 800 kilograms and are unable to swim, so it might seem easier to stay on land. Yet hippos are considered amphibious, and even give birth to their young underwater.
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Leopards
No safari is complete without spotting a leopard lounging atop a tree branch. Climbing is a tactical move to keep themselves high on the food chain. Leopards carry prey up to three times their body weight, dragging them metres above the ground with effortless agility. In the trees, they can feast...
