In route to MS-TCDC for two weeks of beginner Swahili language classes, Linda tossed out the idea of going to see some African wildlife real quick. Naturally, the team responded with an affirmative yes.
We made a quick detour at this game lodge & sanctuary. There I saw a water buffalo no more than 20 ft from me in the water, a handful of African egret sort of birds, zebras & donkeys, and what I could only imagine to be a cross bred of the two, all at one spot.
The water buffalo was dehorned due to needing to do that to keep him alive. Poachers take the horns from animals like water buffalo and rhinos & sell them (ground or whole) to markets predominately in Asia. Asian culture holds these tusks as being natural aphrodisiacs. The water buffalo was rather striking to see in the water, apparently having a wicked temper, so getting in there with him was naturally out of the question.
The reason why I think the brown zebra is a hybrid, like a tiger/lion mix aka liger, is because of the dirty color of its skin/fur. Curious markings.
Tanzanian Times 