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Dwarf Forest Buffalo

Herd of dwarf forest buffalo graze in expansive reserve

Overview

Dwarf forest buffalo live in small herds of eight to 20 individuals consisting of related females, their offspring and one or more males. The dwarf forest buffalo at Woburn Safari Park can be seen in the Savannah section of the Road Safari. There she roams in the 50 acre exhibit with a number of other African species including Grevy's zebra, Southern white rhino and common ostriches, among others.

A dwarf forest buffalo looking at the camera with its full face in frame

All about us

Distribution: Native to West and Central Africa
Habitat: High densities of open grassland within the equatorial forest and the lower densities of continuous forest
Height: 1.3m
Weight: 265 to 565 kg
Gestation Period: 11 to 12 months
Lifespan: 30 years
Threats: Hunting, habitat loss, disease and predation by leopards

About us

Scientific name: Syncerus caffer nanus

Male and female forest buffalo both have horns and they can grow up to 40cm in length. They are swept backwards as an adaptation to forest life as horns that were swept forwards or upwards could snag on branches and hinder their escape from predators. Their horns completely cover their forehead providing protection for when the males have pushing contests. Their coat can range in colour from bright red to dark brown and males especially will darken with age.

Image of red list scale 3 least concern

Small but mighty...

In the wild dwarf forest buffalo live in small groups - herd sizes can be as small as three and rarely over 30.

At under five feet tall she is one of the smaller animals that you can see in the African Savannah area of the Road Safari, and dwarf forest buffalos are actually the smallest of the subspecies of African buffalo!

Dwarf Forest Buffalo Facts

Herds will stick together and charge as a unit when they feel threatened. This tactic ensures that predators have difficulty preying on members of the herd even if they are young and feeble.
The Dwarf Forest Buffalo will on average spend 18 hours per day foraging and moving through the forest.
Their loss of body water through evaporation can be reduced by allowing their body temperature to gradually rise through the day and then disperse the stored heat at night.
Red panda looks at camera surrounded by orange flowers

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