Lion Country Safari / February 5, 2005

Located in Loxahatchee, FL, Lion Country Safari is America's first drive-through cageless zoo. It has been a leader in conservation since 1967. Lion Country Safari provides a habitat in which many endangered or threatened species live and reproduce.

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Denise > Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) [small animal in the foreground]

Aoudad have an extraordinary ability to go without drinking water for long periods of time if neccessary, obtaining all the moisture they need from the vegetation they eat.

These sheep live in small groups comprised of old and young animals of both sexes. They are expert climbers and can ascend and descend slopes so precipitous that man can negotiate them only with great difficulty. Consequently, they are difficult to hunt.

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) [larger animals in the background]

[See next photo for full view of a Waterbuck.]

Denise > Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) [male]

Waterbuck are large, shaggy brown antelope easily recognized from the rear by the target-like white circles on their rumps. Waterbuck rove in small herds in grassy or lightly wooded areas of central Africa. The most water dependent of all the antelope species, they are never found far from the edge of a marsh or river.

As its name would suggest, the waterbuck is a good swimmer and flees into water if pursued, although it is reported that they do not actually like going into water.

Denise > Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) [female]

Denise > Impala (Aepyceros melampus)

The Impala is one of the most agile of all of the antelope species. They range from southern Africa to the northern limits of East Africa. They weigh 100 to 135 pounds and stand 28 to 36 inches tall. The males' graceful lyre-shaped horns are 18 to 37 inches long; the females have no horns.

The Impala is typically found at grassland and woodland edges, usually very close to water. Unlike other antelopes, impalas have large, brushlike tufts of long, coarse black hair that cover a scent gland located just above the heel on each hind leg.

Denise > Gemsbok (Oryx gazella)

Gemsbok is a heavily built antelope native to the arid regions of southwest Africa. Long, straight horns are present in both males and females, but injuries from fighting are rare. Gemsbok are experts at conserving water and can go long periods of time without drinking.

Denise > Asiatic Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee)

Truly wild, Asiatic Water Buffalo are very rare and can be counted in the hundreds in south east Asia. Domesticated Water Buffalo are much more prevalent throughout the world however, and can be counted in the millions. They love the water and can often be found almost completely submerged in the ponds within their preserve.

Denise > Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)

Standing just two-and-a-half feet tall, this species of Indian antelope gets its name from the dark color of the mature male (which is known as a buck).

Females and immature males are lighter in color. The male's straight, ringed horns twist 3 or 4 times and are about 2 feet long. If danger approaches, Blackbucks will spring up into the air -- a behavior called pronking -- to alert the rest of the herd.

Blackbucks are gregarious and social animals with herds generally ranging from 5 to 50 animals. The herds are harems, with a single adult male and a number of adult females and their young.

Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) [small animal in the foreground]

Aoudad have an extraordinary ability to go without drinking water for long periods of time if neccessary, obtaining all the moisture they need from the vegetation they eat.

These sheep live in small groups comprised of old and young animals of both sexes. They are expert climbers and can ascend and descend slopes so precipitous that man can negotiate them only with great difficulty. Consequently, they are difficult to hunt.

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) [larger animals in the background]

[See next photo for full view of a Waterbuck.]