Tiergarten NürnbergHome

in Nuremburg

Changes in animal population

Calves for the African buffalos

 

There are many German names for the African buffalo. The old name "Kaffernbüffel" includes the word caffir, a derogatory, racist name of whites for black people. This term, however, is still partly in use today. The scientific term of Syncerus caffer is a fixed term as well, which may not be changed according to the international regulations of biological nomenclature.

African buffalos belong to the most impressive animals in Africa. The bulls, whose horns meet in the middle of their head, can reach a weight of up to 900 kg. They live in the savannah and in woods east and south of the Kongo rain forest, however, not directly in South Africa.

Even though they are not endangered in their home country and can form herds of up to 2,000 individuals during their wanderings, they are not often to be found in European zoos. Only 70 animals live in 12 zoos, three of which are in Germany. With this year's young, the herd now counts seven animals. The calve's mother's name is called "Kianga" and was born on 4 August 2006 at the Tiergarten Nürnberg and its father is called "Urbalo" who came to the Tiergarten Nürnberg on 11 April 2006 from Dvur Kralove in the Czech Republic, where he was born on 18 November 2004.

 

Tiere von A-Z: African Buffalo