Kobus ellipsiprymnus
The Waterbuck is the largest member of the family Reduncinae, which also includes the Southern Reedbuck, Mountain Reedbuck, Grey Rhebok and several other species occurring elsewhere in Africa.
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck cow
The waterbuck’s most characteristic feature…
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Waterbuck
Waterbuck youngster
Waterbuck close-up
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck Bull
Waterbuck Cow
Waterbuck Calf
Waterbuck herd at Transport Dam
Waterbuck close-up (photo by Joubert)
Waterbuck youngsters
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Waterbuck Bull
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Waterbuck cow
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck ewes on the S100
Waterbuck
The race occurring in South Africa, the Common Waterbuck (K.e.ellipsiprymnus) is characterised by a white circle around their tails, distinguishing them from the Defassa Waterbuck (K.e.defassa) which has a solid white patch on their posteriors. These shaggy antelope weigh up to 270kg and adult bulls are up to 1.7m high at the shoulder. The gracefully curved horns of the bulls can reach a meter in length.
Waterbuck cow
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck cows
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck at the Mapilini stream just north of Nkumbe
Waterbuck
Waterbuck cow
Showing just how the waterbuck got its name!
Waterbuck bull
Wet waterbuck
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Waterbuck Bull
Waterbuck cows and calves
Waterbuck Bull on the bank of the Sabie
Waterbuck herd on the banks of the Pioneer Dam near Mopani
Waterbuck Bull
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Waterbuck bull(seye)
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck herd in the eMfabeni Swamp
As their name suggests, the waterbuck is seldom found far from a permanent water source, requiring to drink around 9 liters of water daily. Waterbuck inhabit open savannah, grasslands, floodplains, marshes and reedbeds, where they feed predominantly on long grass. They occur in mixed herds with up to sixty members, though normally much smaller. Most calves are born in the rainy season, and remain hidden for up to four weeks before joining their maternal herds. When pursued by predators, waterbuck will often take refuge in deep water, being good swimmers. They’re a favourite prey of lions, though calves fall victim to all of Africa’s large predators, and have a life expectancy up to 18 years.
Waterbuck cow and calf
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck cow
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck bulls
Waterbuck calf
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Waterbuck calf
Waterbuck among the spiderwebs
Waterbuck drinking at Zincakeni Dam
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Waterbuck calves
Waterbuck cow
Dueling Waterbuck Bulls in the Nshawu Vlei (marsh) near Mopani in the Kruger National Park
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck herd
Waterbuck bull (photo by Joubert)
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck trio
Waterbuck bulls
Waterbuck herd
The waterbuck is one of South Africa’s most common and well-known antelope, occurring naturally in most of the Northern and Eastern provinces and introduced widely outside its natural range on private land. The biggest population occurs in the Kruger National Park, with sizeable herds also at Ithala Game Reserve, Pilanesberg National Park and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, among the many private and public protected areas in which they can be found. It is also widespread in the rest of Africa, with the IUCN estimating a total population of around 200,000 for the continent.
Waterbuck Bull
Young Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck bull
Young Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck youngsters
Young Waterbuck rams
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Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck calf
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Waterbuck with oddly shaped horns
Youngish Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck
Waterbuck on their way to Orpen Dam
Waterbuck at Nsemani Dam
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One of the hides at Vogelfontein in Nylsvley Nature Reserve, with waterbuck in the foreground
Waterbuck cow
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck visiting Tlopi Tented Camp
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Waterbuck calf
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Waterbuck (photo by Joubert)
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Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck bull
Waterbuck cow and calves