Knysna's Bokkies - Bushbuck in Knysna
One of the incredible joys of visiting Knysna is experiencing the Wildlife, especially in the Brenton Peninsula. One of the most common antelope species found in the area is Bushbuck. The smaller "cousin" of the Kudu and Nyala, these beautiful browsers are some of the most beautiful and graceful animals to watch.
Even though bushbuck can survive in both moist and dry climates, they require habitat that provides enough food and shelter from the predators. Bushbuck are threatened by habitat loss that has already eliminated several populations of these animals. Luckily, bushbuck is still numerous in the wild and it is not listed as endangered species.
Interestingly enough the body of bushbuck are covered with fur which color depends on the habitat. It can be yellow, reddish or brown. Bushbuck that live in dense forest have darker fur as can be seen in the Knysna area.
Unlike other antelopes, bushbuck do not tolerate birds that remove insects from their fur and tend to get agitate fairly quickly. As a consequence, bushbuck are usually covered with ticks, this is however not the case in the Brenton Peninsula as through the efforts of concerned locals the bushbuck have been given a special remedy that keeps the ticks off them. This had been decided as the bushbuck populations underwent a population decline with the Knysna fires of 7 June 2017.
The fires would have affected them significantly as Bushbuck have an unusually long "Laying up" period. This is where the the does (the moms) will leave the fowls (baby) alone for most of the day. Instinct would dictate the little one to lie still and not move unless "told" so by mom and as we have found many little bushbuck bones after the fire, less than a few weeks old this speaks true to the scientific research.
On a positive note the Bushbuck are doing well and we have had may babies after the fire, and with the help of many caring locals we are all monitoring them closely.
For an interesting story on one of our orphaned little bushbuck click below:
http://knysnawildlifeproject.blogspot.co.za/2017/10/the-story-behind-brenton-fawn.html
Even though bushbuck can survive in both moist and dry climates, they require habitat that provides enough food and shelter from the predators. Bushbuck are threatened by habitat loss that has already eliminated several populations of these animals. Luckily, bushbuck is still numerous in the wild and it is not listed as endangered species.
Interestingly enough the body of bushbuck are covered with fur which color depends on the habitat. It can be yellow, reddish or brown. Bushbuck that live in dense forest have darker fur as can be seen in the Knysna area.
Unlike other antelopes, bushbuck do not tolerate birds that remove insects from their fur and tend to get agitate fairly quickly. As a consequence, bushbuck are usually covered with ticks, this is however not the case in the Brenton Peninsula as through the efforts of concerned locals the bushbuck have been given a special remedy that keeps the ticks off them. This had been decided as the bushbuck populations underwent a population decline with the Knysna fires of 7 June 2017.
The fires would have affected them significantly as Bushbuck have an unusually long "Laying up" period. This is where the the does (the moms) will leave the fowls (baby) alone for most of the day. Instinct would dictate the little one to lie still and not move unless "told" so by mom and as we have found many little bushbuck bones after the fire, less than a few weeks old this speaks true to the scientific research.
On a positive note the Bushbuck are doing well and we have had may babies after the fire, and with the help of many caring locals we are all monitoring them closely.
For an interesting story on one of our orphaned little bushbuck click below:
http://knysnawildlifeproject.blogspot.co.za/2017/10/the-story-behind-brenton-fawn.html
Comments
Post a Comment