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Shitstir for shitstir. But why do you always need to argue things in a personal aggressive manner? Why not argue the points in a debate instead.

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As for some comments:
"One species has killed thousands of humans"

Where did this statistic come from?

How many people are killed per year for example? How many people are killed by un-wounded cape buffalo per year?

You do know that it is possible to walk up to 50 metres away from a herd of cape buffalo in a park. They will watch you, but not instantly charge with death in their eyes. If anything they will run away. A true story. I approached a herd in the long grass in Zambia on the Zambezi. And climbed a termite mound to get a photo at the herd. The young PH with me, unarmed, said something like "Watch out these are cape buffalo!" to get an effect. I said "I think if they do anything, they will ran away." He smiled having had his joke turned around.

Another time I was trying to get good photographs of cape buffalo and our vehicle was within 50 metres, maybe 20 metres of the herd. One boring old bag in the vehicle started to get scared and demanded we leave "I'm scared" she said. The buffalo were aware of us, but showing no sign of aggression whatsoever. No good photos obtained. The only reason we were on the drive was because I had organised it ... Always better to have a vehicle or trip to oneself ...

One park we stayed in Zambia had a herd of cape buffalo feeding on the brush all around the camp, within the camp, even twenty metres from the dining area. Our tent was on a winding track through the dark bush and yes it was a little concerning walking along it as one does not want to bump into anything nasty at very close range. As one would not want to walk up to a "Jersey Bull" for example ...

There is no doubt local people are killed by cape buffalo through misadventure. Similarly in Sri Lanka where wild water buffalo do exist, I know the same can occur. I think there have been a report or two from Arnhemland in the last couple of years. But do you realise there are a hell of a LOT more people wondering around, working, living etc in the African bush than in Arnhemland ...

There is no doubt there is also a problem when cape buffalo are wounded. But I would also guess there are a hell of a lot more cape buffalo hunted in total per year than water buffalo. The statistic would be interesting.

"I will bet that Jersey Bulls have killed more people than 'the other' in Australia."

Do you know that some Aussie hunters that have hunted cape and water buffalo and scrub bull, say the humble scrub bull is by far the likeliest to charge. From my limited experience that is true too, two charges or part charges by scrub bull (that is a 33% incident rate btw), one part charge by a water buffalo (5% rate) and having only hunted cape buffalo once would not make any comment on charges.

"This is a mantra favoured by those that like to do much the same with the domestic version."

Yes wasn't that one of my points? But I put up two sides of the story. Both indicating "docility" and wildness in both species at times, and in different scenarios.

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And as previously said, I love hunting both. And would hunt cape buffalo more if finances allowed.

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I reckon it would be good to hear from some of the members from their own personal experiences with the wild bovine species. Either way. Nothing wrong with a debate.

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

Edited by NitroX (14/07/13 04:05 PM)

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