Bambi the Bushbuck

Nestled in the tranquil safety of the ecozone, Bambi watches the world around her with the definition of doe-eyes. This seven-month-old bushbuck has called Naka Lodge her home since she was three weeks old.

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The Story of Bambi

Bambi was found by lodge owner Harry’s son Yianni and his friends during a visit to the reserve. Noticing the baby bushbuck oddly alone, they went to investigate. They discovered that Bambi’s mother had died and decided to take the baby into their care.

With the help of Deputy Reserve Manager Brett Lee, they set Bambi up in a new home. She’ll remain in this nook at the lodge until she’s big enough to fend for herself. Bushbucks are known for being elusive and shy, which means that Bambi’s perfect habitat remains the freedom of the bushveld.

Once she’s big enough, she’ll be released into the ecozone where she can roam as she pleases. She’ll be monitored to ensure her safety and successful adaptation. Guests may have a chance to glimpse her during guided or self-guided walks through the ecozone.

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The Facts of the Bushbuck

• The bushbuck’s scientific name is tragelaphus scriptus.
• In isiXhosa and isiZulu, they’re called imbabala or unkonka.
• They’re native to 40 African countries.
• The males generally weigh 48 kg but can reach weights of up to 80 kg.
• Females are lighter and weigh around 30 kg.
• They can grow up to one metre tall.
• The average horn size is 26 cm, but the record height is 52 cm.
• They live between 10 and 15 years, especially in captivity.
• They have a gestation period of about six months (180 days).
• Their sight is their best-developed sense.
• They can jump up to 1.4 metres, sometimes more.
• Their natural enemies are humans (hunters) and large carnivores such as leopards or even pythons.

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The Tales of the Bushbuck

While bushbucks have a rather wide distribution throughout Africa, they prefer the shadows. They’re known for being elusive and usually live as individuals. However, breeding pairs may also live together, and, at times, small groups of a single gender also form.

Heavily reliant on water, bushbucks most commonly dwell in thickets and woodlands near rivers. In good rainfall seasons, they can consume up to three litres of water daily. Their main diet is leaves, but they’ll also turn to grass, flowers, berries, swampy plants, and tree roots if the need arises.

They’re not the fastest species of antelope and rather rely on their habitat and coat colours to remain unseen. Female bushbucks are smaller than the males and have a light coat in variations of chestnut. The rams are darker with spiralling horns. Both genders have white spots on their hide and sides.

When frightened, bushbucks have a freeze-or-fight instinct. They’ll dive into the bushes and hide rather than run. However, should hiding not succeed, their shy nature becomes aggressive, and they will attack. For this reason, they’re considered the most dangerous wild antelope. Male bushbucks, in particular, have claimed the lives of many hunters, including Walter Ayres’. His grave can be visited on Naka’s reserve.

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Sources
Riëtte. 2012. Aardvark tot ystervark: Vrae en antwoorde. Kaapstad: CTP.

African Wildlife Foundation. 2013. Bushbuck. Available online:
https://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/bushbuck. Accessed 23 November 2024.