Wildlife guide and photographer Andrew Aveley (a passionate wildlife photographer and private guide) caught this amusing moment and sent his story to Latest Sightings. The incident happened on the S1 – Doispane Road, in the southern Kruger National Park.
Andrew told Latest Sightings that on the morning in question, he was hoping to find a rare species of bird. Knowing that the bird in question is often found in association with buffalo, he stopped to watch a herd of Cape buffalo.
Oxpeckers, commonly seen in Kruger, survive by feeding on ticks and other pests from animal hides. Of two species, the red-billed oxpecker appears more frequently.
But Andrew was particularly looking for the yellow-billed variety, which has made a remarkable comeback after years of scarcity.
Having seen the birds in question, he decided to film some stock footage, focusing his lens on a pair of buffalo bulls. The two animals lightly sparred, pressing their heavy bosses together in a show of strength.
As the camera rolled, Andrew failed to notice his shot was about to be interrupted. In his video, another buffalo’s head first appears from the right.
As the buffalo progressed into the frame, we see something odd. The head of another buffalo, only its head is resting on his back…
Buffalo, like many animals, often mount each other as a dominance display that isn’t for reproduction, as can be seen with these two older male buffaloes.
Obviously, this hilarious moment of “photobombing” was not quite what Andrew had hoped for when he set up his shot. Nevertheless, he took it in his stride.
Meanwhile, the unusual interlopers had also caught the eye of the two bulls still sparring in the background. Suddenly losing interest in his duel, one of the bulls immediately disengaged.
We think it’s safe to assume he hoped to engage himself elsewhere. Subsequently, the other bull gave it a moment’s thought before he too set off in pursuit.
Andrew said he is not sure how he kept the camera steady throughout, as he and his companions chuckled throughout.
Andrew said he is not sure how he kept the camera steady throughout, as he and his companions chuckled throughout.
Yellow-billed oxpeckers
As mentioned, these interesting birds feed on various parasites found on host animals. Beyond providing a cleaning service, they also serve as an early warning system, taking flight in alarm when they detect threats.
Yellow-billed oxpeckers were once threatened with extinction. Experts believe toxins once used in cattle dips caused this.
Today, their population is making a recovery. They are increasingly appearing further south in Kruger National Park, where they had been absent for years.
The population has rebounded due to non-toxic dips and sustained conservation efforts in their historical range.
The bushveld’s bolshy bovine
Despite being a member of the Big 5, in herd situations, buffalo seem fairly docile most of the time.
However, when danger threatens, the herd closes ranks, creating an impenetrable walk of horns and muscled bodies protecting the young they surround.
Feeding exclusively on grass, they play an important role in fertilising the soil with their dung.
When bulls get old, they form small bachelor groups called “dagga (mud) boys”. Often found wallowing in mud, they resemble comrades-in-arms sharing war stories in a pub.