UC Berkeley

The activity budgets of three herds of African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Lower Sabie region of Kruger National Park, South Africa recorded between 1991 and 1992 were quantified to examine both nocturnal and seasonal effects on feeding activity and 24-hr movement in an area of dense bushveld. We found that the average 24-hr distance traveled by herds (3.35km) was shorter than that found in other studies and that there was no seasonal effect on this distance, which we attribute to ready availability of water in both seasons. We found that the buffalo spent a similar amount of time feeding (9.5 hrs) as in other studies, but that the proportional feeding and resting time was influenced by the time of day and the season. These herds spent proportionally more time feeding at night (44.5% versus 32.0%) and more time resting in the day (28.4% versus 16.0%). In addition, they appeared to rest more during the day and feed more at night during the wet season, when it is hotter.