 |  |  |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |  |
Wed, 14/02/2007 - 4:36am
Here is a link to a story I found on News 24
http://www.24.com/news/?p=saa&i=419104
I would be curious to know what other cammers, who have come into contact with African Buffalo think.
Personally, without making light of a tragic death, I find this story to be somewhat suspect unless the buffalo had been so taunted and harrassed by the vehicle and its occupants that it behaved completely out of character, leading to this tragedy.
I do not believe that a buffalo would mount the back of a vehicle in order to attack an occupant, it would most likely attack the vehicle. I have on several occassions had to chase buffalo from camps (once even in an electric golf cart) and never did the buffalo react in any other way other than run away.
I am aware that vehicles have been attacked by buffalo before, however the buffalo has seen the vehicle as the threat and dont actively seek the occupants.
Just curious?
Landi
http://www.24.com/news/?p=saa&i=419104
I would be curious to know what other cammers, who have come into contact with African Buffalo think.
Personally, without making light of a tragic death, I find this story to be somewhat suspect unless the buffalo had been so taunted and harrassed by the vehicle and its occupants that it behaved completely out of character, leading to this tragedy.
I do not believe that a buffalo would mount the back of a vehicle in order to attack an occupant, it would most likely attack the vehicle. I have on several occassions had to chase buffalo from camps (once even in an electric golf cart) and never did the buffalo react in any other way other than run away.
I am aware that vehicles have been attacked by buffalo before, however the buffalo has seen the vehicle as the threat and dont actively seek the occupants.
Just curious?
Landi
Landi - it would surely depend upon whether the buffalo was a 'Dagga-Boy' - a single (or a group of) lone male who has been kicked out of the main herd either because they are too old or because they have reached sexual maturity.
You are aware, I know, that these buffalo are very unpredictable and that they do not need provocation to attack.
They were (and still are) the most feared of the Big 5 amongst hunters because of their unpredictable nature.
It is entirely possible that this buffalo was not actually targetting the humans on the vehicle but that the human just happened to be in the way of it's horns........... however, history has taught buffalos that humans are the enemy as they have been hunted relentlessly for several centuries for their horns and their meat.
Personally I would rather face up to a pride of lions than a group of dagga boys in the bush!
Founding Member of the AAA - Africam Addicts Association.Want to learn more about the animals you see on the cam?Go to www.wildlifecampus.com for free modules and full courses