Waterbuck Calf With Heart-Shaped Nose Marking Thrives at Ramat Gan Safari

A young waterbuck calf, born a few months ago at the Ramat Gan Safari, has successfully navigated its vulnerable early life stages and is now growing stronger alongside its mother in the African Savannah enclosure. The calf is notable not only for its endearing appearance but also for a distinctive small, heart-shaped marking on its nose. Waterbuck are naturally timid animals, and the first few months are critical for their survival. In the safari's open Savannah, shared with zebras, rhinos, and hippos, young calves must learn their surroundings, adapt to various stimuli, and stay close to their mothers. Safari staff are pleased that the calf has met these challenges, growing and strengthening, and can now be seen with its mother. They continue to monitor its development with excitement, noting the prominent heart-shaped mark on its nose as it grows.

The waterbuck, also known as the "Waterbuck," is an antelope species typically found near water sources like swamps and rivers in Africa, often seeking refuge in water when threatened. Adult males can reach about 140 cm at the shoulder and weigh up to 200 kg, possessing long, backward-curving horns, while females are smaller and hornless. Their coat is brown with a white rump. In the wild, females usually give birth after an eight to eight-and-a-half-month gestation, typically during the rainy season. Young males begin growing horns around eight to nine months old and usually leave their herds to join bachelor groups. Their natural predators include lions, leopards, and hyenas.