01 Sep Casually Sociable: The Bushbuck Way
Visitors to safari lodges built along river-banks or in other areas with dense undergrowth will sometimes be surprised to see a medium-sized antelope quietly staring at them from only a few meters away. Once certain the human poses no threat, the animal, often a bushbuck, will resume nibbling at shoots and leaves, ears twitching to chase away irritating flies.
The bushbuck relies on camouflage to avoid detection, often standing still for extended periods while watching for potential threats, all the while listening with its large ears and scenting the wind. Bushbuck living close to lodges become accustomed to people, but they will quickly bound off into the undergrowth, sometimes making a loud bark-like alarm call, if they are surprised by rapid movement or loud noises.
They generally feed on their own but remain aware of other bushbuck in the area, a trait which renowned ecologist Rich Estes describes as “casually sociable.”
“As bushbucks from the same neighbourhood are all acquainted and often greet one another in a friendly manner, it would be more accurate to call this animal loosely and casually sociable, kept separate by feeding and anti-predator strategies that favour separation of individuals,” Estes notes in his guide-book “The Safari Companion”.
They are most active in the early mornings, late evenings and at night and usually lie-up in thick cover during middle of the day.
Bushbuck are slightly smaller than the well-known impala. Only the males have horns which are spiralled and grow to about 25 – 40 cm (10-16 inches). The males are legendary for their ferocity in defending themselves against attack by predators, using their sharp horns as deadly rapiers and have been known to kill domestic dogs and even leopards.
They have a wide distribution in Africa, although they are not found in very dry areas like the Kalahari, and have been recorded at altitudes of over 3 000 metres (9 842 feet) on the slopes of Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro.
Bushbuck usually give birth to one lamb, weighing about four kg (10 lbs), which is hidden in thick undergrowth. The mother returns to the hiding place regularly until the lamb is strong enough to move around safely.
These antelope are browsers and eat shoots, leaves and herbs, but are also known to take fruit, particularly those that have been knocked to the ground by monkeys or birds.
The males develop dark chestnut or grey coats as they age whereas the females are a lighter brown colour.
A variety of subspecies occur throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including the Chobe bushbuck, which is richer coloured than its cousins. The Chobe bushbuck population is under intense pressure due to severe habitat loss along the Chobe River in Botswana.
