Bushbuck

The elusive bushbuck with its striped back and spotted flanks are one of the prettier antelope. Females (picture left) are smaller and lighter in colour than males , with more pronounced white spots and stripes. The horns, borne only by the male, are about 40 cm long. Bushbuck’s preferred habitat is dense bush at the base of mountains or along river courses. The Bush buck is always found close to permanent water courses browsing on leaves and shrubs by night and resting during the day. Their chief predator is the leopard.

Adult males stand less than 90 cm high at the shoulder and weigh about 45 kg. The very sharp horns of the male render the Bushbuck very dangerous when wounded or if cornered. The male will fight bravely and if attacked may even become a dangerous foe. In which case the only way to avoid being mortally wounded is to lie face down, hugging good ole earth.They are very territorial and and have a dog like call to summon females into their domain, especially after the first rains.