Photos of the Common Waterbuck by Yvonne van der Mey

Another animal that bears the name "common" and the reason why? I don't have a clue. I don't know of any other species of Waterbuck, and nor do they look common in any way. You do see them very regularly, so they are not rare.

But besides this, they are fantastic to look at. They were created with a master's stroke, especially the large white circle on its behind, making it easily recognizable.

Waterbuck always remind me of a donkey, because of their ears and the way they move around. Only the bulls have horns, which can get as long as 1 metre, and are very impressive. Inspite of their "common" name, they often have a rather haughty attitude, especially the bulls, as if they are simply the best.

Bulls have a very strong musty smell. There is a story about Waterbuck, which says that this smell repels predators, making them inedible. But rangers have quite regularly seen lion, crocodile and hyena feeding on Waterbuck males, so that story can't be true.

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