Cape buffalo

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Syncerus caffer 

     In Africa, the water buffalo is represented by the African or cape buffalo. This bulky animal is one of the most dangerous mammals to be found anywhere. Weighing about 700 kg on average, with much larger individuals reported, the horn span of some mature bulls is more than a metre in width. It is said that more big game hunters have been killed by the cape buffalo than by any other African animal. 
     Cape buffalo prefer areas of open pasture, close to jungle and swampy ground where they can wallow. 
     Other than man, they have few natural predators and are capable of defending themselves against (and sometimes killing) lions, who will attack only old, sick, or immature buffaloes. The leopard is a threat only to newborn calves. 
     All attempts to turn the cape buffalo into a “useful” animal by crossbreeding it with domestic cattle have so far proved futile. Excessive hunting has reduced wild populations, and much of the water buffalo’s habitat has been converted to agricultural use. 
 

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