12 Aug, 2008

Testing their strength, males engage their close-set horns and drag each other over the rocky ground on their knees.

We positioned ourselves in a hide at the Olifantsbad waterhole for today's filming session in Namibia's Etosha National Park. This is a popular waterhole for observing many of the animals found in this region.

This is the first time since arriving in Etosha that we have filmed from a hide. We arrived very early as we did not know which animals would come to drink at sunrise.

It was interesting to observe the pecking order of the various animals. Each species of antelope would move away after drinking to make way for the others that followed.

This protocol did not seem to inconvenience a small group of warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus), which headed straight for the water’s edge to drink among the other animals.

A herd of red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus caama) also waited their turn on the edge of the waterhole. They are awkward-looking animals with long faces and curving horns.

We also noticed two calves, with very short upright horns, among them.

The close-set horns of the adults curve forward and out, then twist inwards and back. These were just visible on the calves, which I assumed to be not more than a year old.

We were surprised that they did not come down to the water immediately after the other animals had left. Some of the males were more interested in sizing each other up. Suddenly a couple started pawing the ground and locking horns. It was comical to watch these individuals testing their strength against one another.

They would lock horns and pull each other around on their knees over the sharp rocks.

It surprised me to see how effortlessly the intricate design of their locked horns became dislodged after such an intense session.

During these interactions a lone warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) watched the performance. It was content to rub itself against a tree dead trunk, only occasionally acknowledging the sparring.

These activities continued for quite some time without the combatants stopping to drink.

The calves, however, were accompanied to the water's edge by the remaining adults.

Once the brief sparring sessions were over the 'winner' would casually choose another animal against which to test its strength, at which the pawing, kneeling, locking, pulling and pushing would start again.

It became apparent that this was typical red hartebeest behaviour, and in the end, no physical harm was done.

– by Pierre Minnie and Linda Louw, Earth-Touch crew © Earth-Touch

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