Definition

Noun: * Cape Buffalo: A large, often aggressive, wild bovine (Syncerus caffer) native to southern and eastern Africa. It is characterized by its heavy build, dark color, and distinctive horns that curve upward and inward, forming a continuous bony shield across the top of the head. It is primarily found in game reserves and protected areas.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The herd of cape buffalo moved slowly across the savanna.
  • Hunters consider the cape buffalo one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.
  • We saw a large cape buffalo with impressive horns at the waterhole.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in wildlife conservation and hunting contexts to distinguish this specific African species from other buffalo, such as the Asian water buffalo.
• In ecological writing, it is frequently mentioned as a key species for maintaining grassland habitats and as a primary food source for large predators like lions.

Variants and Related Words

• African Buffalo: A more general, synonymous term for the same species.
• Syncerus caffer: The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
• Buffalo (noun): A broader term that can refer to several large bovines, including the cape buffalo, the Asian water buffalo, and the American bison (colloquially).

Synonyms

• African Buffalo
• Black Death (a colloquial nickname used by hunters due to its dangerous reputation)

Related Phrases & Idioms

• Member of the Big Five: In African safari terminology, the cape buffalo is one of the "Big Five" game animals, a group historically considered the most dangerous and prized by hunters. The others are the lion, leopard, elephant, and rhinoceros.

Noun

1. large often savage buffalo of southern Africa having upward-curving horns; mostly in game reserves