The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a robust antelope with a shaggy gray‑brown coat, white chin and a distinctive white ring on its rump. Males grow impressive ringed horns that curve backwards, while females lack horns. True to their name, waterbuck rarely venture far from rivers or lakes and have a pungent oily secretion that repels water. Their impressive size and striking horns make them a popular quarry on African safaris.
Waterbuck are typically hunted by spot‑and‑stalk along riverine thickets and floodplains. Hunters glass from elevated points to locate a bachelor bull and then stalk within range, taking care to stay downwind and avoid thick reeds where animals can disappear. Because bulls weigh over 200 kg, experienced outfitters recommend .30‑calibre or larger rifles and solid bullets to anchor them quickly. Prime hunting generally coincides with the dry winter and spring months (July–October), though seasons vary by country.
Thirteen subspecies are commonly grouped into the “common” waterbuck (K. e. ellipsiprymnus) and the “defassa” waterbuck (K. e. defassa). The common form remains numerous and is classified as Least Concern, whereas the defassa waterbuck is Near Threatened and declining due to heavy poaching and habitat encroachment—over 60 percent of its population occurs in protected areas. In South Africa, waterbuck are regulated under the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) permitting system, meaning hunters must obtain special authorisation. Revenue from well‑regulated trophy hunting provides incentives for landowners to conserve riparian habitats and fund anti‑poaching efforts.
Waterbuck are gregarious and form herds of females and young led by a territorial bull; solitary bachelor groups also occur. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon and will readily swim across rivers to escape predators. The greasy secretions that coat their fur not only repel water but also produce a strong musky odour, aiding in spoiling the meat for predators. Because waterbuck seldom stray more than two kilometres from water, experienced hunters often concentrate their search along rivers and pans.
Waterbuck can be found in the following location:
Waterbuck has the following variations:
- Common Waterbuck
- Sing Sing Waterbuck
- Defassa Waterbuck
