habitat_narrative

Terrestrial|Freshwater (=Inland waters)

As their name indicates, this species is restricted to well-watered habitats, having remarkably high water requirements (Taylor et al. 1969). Preferring dense woody vegetation of savannah woodlands and forest-savannah mosaics (Melton 1997; East 1999), Waterbuck are commonly associated with floodplain and vlei regions (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Along the Zambezi River, they are often found along the rocky hills in the vicinity of the river (Skinner & Chimimba 2005), and in Ethiopia they have been recorded up to 2,100 m asl (Yalden et al. 1996). Although dependent on water, they are not as aquatic as the Lechwe, Kobus leche, but also not as independent as the Kob, Kobus kob (Spinage 2013). The Waterbuck persist in drier regimes than the Defassa Waterbuck (Spinage 2013).

Waterbuck are classified as grazers, with a more diversified diet in the wet season and a less diversified diet at the end of the dry season. Waterbuck have been observed to occasionally include browse material (up to 35% of the diet in the Defassa Waterbuck in Benin) in their diet during the dry season (Kassa et al. 2008). They have been observed supplementing their diet with Umbrella Thorn, Vachellia (previously Acacia) tortilis, as well as Marula, Sclerocarya birrea, fruits. Hoffmann (1973) described Waterbuck as efficient in fibre digestion, and thus roughage feeders. In Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (previously Umfolozi Game Reserve), Melton (1978) found that, due to restricted forage in the dry season, Waterbuck were out-competed by Nyala, Tragelaphus angasii, and Impala, Aepyceros melampus. This, in combination with high tick infestation, resulted in significant Waterbuck calf mortality during the 1970s. However, following the reduction of other antelope during a management response to drought conditions in the 1980s, Waterbuck populations began to stabilise (Melton 1997).

Waterbuck are gregarious, forming herds of usually less than 10 individuals comprising of either bachelor males, or females and young (Melton 1997). Solitary territorial males will defend territories of up to about 2 km² of prime habitat in close vicinity to water, and female herds commonly form home ranges that encompass several territorial males (Melton 1997). Waterbuck breed throughout the year, although calves in the KNP and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park are most commonly born between October and March (Pienaar 1963; Fairall 1968; Melton 1983). The gestation period of Waterbuck is approximately 280 days (Spinage 1982), and during parturition the female will leave the herd to give birth to one or, occasionally, two calves (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). For the first 3–4 weeks of their lives, the calf is hidden from predators in tall grass or underbush, where the mother returns frequently to feed and clean her calf (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Calves are weaned after approximately 276 days (Spinage 1982).

Ecosystem and cultural services: Although historical records proposed that Waterbuck were unfavourable prey for both predators and humans alike, due to their musky smell, this statement is considered erroneous, as Waterbuck are commonly preyed upon by both (Melton 1997). In Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, 60–80% of Waterbuck predation events were attributed to lions, Panthera leo, however, this species is also a valuable prey species for Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Cheetah (Acinonyx jabatus) and Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) (Melton 1997).