In Touch with Nature – Cape Buffalo or ‘Black Death’
Posted: July 22, 2026 Filed under: Animals, In Touch With Nature, Nature, Photography, Poetry, Wildlife | Tags: #InTouchWithNature, #RobbieCheadle, Robbie Cheadle, South Africa, Wildlife, Writing to be Read 40 Comments
I’m kicking off today’s post with my poem called Cape Buffalo or ‘Black Death’. This poem features in Story Chat Digest Where Stories Meet: An Anthology of Short Stories & Poems (Story Chat Series Book 3) compiled and edited by Marsha Ingrao. You can purchase this book from Amazon US here: https://www.amazon.com/Story-Chat-Digest-Where-Stories-ebook/dp/B0GRKS8QDD/
Cape Buffalo or ‘Black Death’
Don’t be fooled by my mild expression
or mislead by my delightfully curious look
Know I’ve never been domesticated
due to my unpredictable temperament
I’m not a wild yak or wild water buffalo
my attitude is cantankerous and bad
nicknamed ‘Black Death’ or ‘Widow Maker’
I am dangerous and extremely aggressive
fiercely protective of my young and herd
I will charge you with surprising speed
my ferocity will horrify you. Respect me!
Weighting up to 2,000 pounds
my massive frame is supported by
sturdy and muscular legs. Boy, can I move!
I’ll charge you at 56 kilometers per hour
My horns, a hard shield called a ‘boss’
cover my entire head. I use them for defence
against my natural predators including lions,
African wild dogs, spotted hyenas, and Nile crocodiles
You are nothing – you have no teeth and no fur
I will use my horns to toss you with intention
your fall to the ground knocking the air from your lungs
effectively disabling you. Then, I will gore you
while trampling you with focused determination
If you hunt me, don’t miss.
Don’t leave me wounded.
I will deliberately and consciously
hunt you down. Lying in wait for your return
I am a dangerous adversary, and I will kill you.
My painting of a Cape buffalo inspired the above poem. I wasn’t entirely happy with the yes so I repainted them and this is the updated photograph.
Interesting facts about Cape Buffalo
Calf-feeding hack – mother buffaloes have a unique adaption that allows their young to suckle from between their hind legs. This allows the calf to feed while its mother and the rest of the herd are on the move.
Watch my YouTube video to see a Cape buffalo calf feeding from between its mother’s hind legs.
Helmet of bone – Male and female Cape buffalo have horns but older bulls develop a fused, hardened shield across their foreheads known as a “boss”. This helmet acts as a crash helmet during intense territorial fights between the males.
Watch my YouTube video to see a set of magnificent Cape buffalo horns:
The “Dagga Boys” – older male buffalo leave the main breeding herd to live alone or in small bachelor groups called dagga boys. Dagha is the Zulu and Xhosa word for mud. Older male bulls are well known for their fondness for wallowing in mud to protect themselves from the sun and biting insects.
Unmatched defense – Cape buffalo are very protective of their herds and have been known to actively mob and chase off lions to rescue injured calves or herd-mates. They were nicknamed ‘black death’ by big game hunters in Africa due to their aggressive and highly unpredictable natures when threatened or wounded. Cape buffalo have killed more hunters in African than almost any other large animal. Unlike other animals that run away when injured, wounded buffalo are known to circle back and hide in the thick, tall grass. When the hunter tracks the buffalo into the bush, it ambushes him.
I was especially pleased with the following two photographs of a male Cape buffalo taken in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The buffalo was very close to the vehicle and the winter sun was shining on his horns and coat.
About Robbie Cheadle
Roberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.
Roberta has two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).
Roberta is also the author and illustrator of seventeen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children’s books, and the author and illustrator of four poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/.
Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle
Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5
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This segment of “In Touch with Nature” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.
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What a magnificent animal, Robbie. They may be dangerous, but they are still beautiful. Clever, too, for lying in wait for the hunter.
Black Death is a good name for them.
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Hi Viv, it’s lovely to see you. Yes, these buffalo are beautiful and I always enjoy watching them. As with all wild animals, they must be treated with respect.
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Absolutely.
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💜
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What a beast Robbie.
I would not like to cross swords with one.
Loved this post.
Thank you.
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Hi Maggie, they are fascinating to watch and have a bovine look which is deceptive as they are not mild like cows.
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Hi Robbie
Yes they do have a bovine look and are magnificent to see.
Thanks again for sharing.
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🐃🦬
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cape buffalo are new to me, and they are fascinating. i promise not to mess with them-
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I can watch them for ages. They are very interesting and for me, quite beautiful 💓
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The buffalo facts and photos are fascinating. It’s an impressive look at such a powerful animal.
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Thank you, slumber. I am fond of Buffalo. That’s why I created such a big and time consuming painting 😁🌼
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Oh dear! I’m scared.
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I would imagine that being a tough character, is a survival instinct
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Wonderful verse , photos, and information Robbie. Clearly, not an animal to mess with!
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A great poem of information and warning! The painting is wonderful and captures the heart of the poem very well.
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Robbie, I love your poem. The personification of the cape buffalo and the way he (or mama buffalo) uses “you” makes him all the more intimidating. Your painting is wonderful!
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Such wonderful, fascinating animals! Thank you for sharing all this information about them, Robbie!
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I admire them for being so clever dealing with hunters. A good way for making sure calves don’t get lost when on the move, hanging onto Mum. A great post about another animal I did not know much about.
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Hi Janet, I’m pleased I could share some information about these gorgeous animals.
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Just looking at the pictures and videos, the relatively docile appearance of the “black death” is deceiving!
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An excellent poem that celebrates the beauty and formidable presence of this majestic creature. Thank you, Robbie!!
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I’m so pleased you enjoyed this poem, Rebecca.
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Hi, Robbie.
I’m oddly drawn to the dark beaty of this magnificent creature.
She is a testament to the way beauty and cruelty walk within one another’s shadows in nature.
I also think we as man forget that we too are part of nature.
Thanks Robbie for sharing these wonderful articles with us.
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Hi Patty, I’m delighted you enjoyed this post. I agree that people forget we are part of the natural world and our arrogance and lack of curatorship has created significant issues.
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The poem on cape buffalo is magnificent, Robbie, and your painting is beautiful! The information about them is educational for me. I’m glad I read this. 😍
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That’s so nice to know, Tim. Thank you 🙏
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My pleasure, Roberta. 😍
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💚
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Your poem is strong, words that won’t be forgotten. Your painting is lovely! Looking at the pictures, the buffalo appears docile, but quite the opposite. Well done, Robbie.
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Hi Jennie, that is exactly right. Cape buffalo have a very docile and bovine look and it’s very misleading.
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🙂
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The poem is powerful and a bit scary. It makes you think twice. The buffalo is certainly a powerful and dangerous animal. The videos, photos and the painting are gorgeous.
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Just wonderful! An excellent poem, Robbie, and of course, I think those amazing animals are great – I have seen them in Addo, also on our notes – R100! Fab painting, too, really lovely.
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Thanks for your poem about the Cape Buffalo, Robbie. I learned some things I never knew about them. Are they only in South Africa? I love your painting!
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Hi Kay, Cape buffalo are distributed across sub- Saharan Africa but aren’t found in north, East or East Africa or on any other continent. Thanks for visiting.
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I always like learning about animals from you, Robbie. Thanks.
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🐃🖤
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Robbie, what a powerful and evocative poem that perfectly captures the untamed spirit and commanding presence of the Cape buffalo! Your paintings are superb!
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Thank you, Patricia. I’m delighted you enjoyed this post. Cape buffalo always look so docile but they can be cunning and vengeful.
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