The bomas in the Addo Elephant National Park filled with prime buffalo for the annual Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees auction.
A total of disease-free 30 buffalo will be offered for sale at the auction on Friday, June 28, according to Addo Elephant National Park manger Norman Johnson.
“We have captured some magnificent animals. One bull has an estimated horn spread of 44.5 inches,” he says.
It will be the largest number of Addo buffalo yet offered for auction by South African National Parks at the Kirkwood sale.
Funds raised through the sale of the animals will go towards park development and conservation-related expenses.
“We are delighted to continue to offer these sought-after Addo buffalo on our auction,” says Johan Swart, convener of the auction, which is one of the top in South Africa.
It is one of a handful where buyers can view game in bomas before they bid.
“This year we will again have a wide selection of prime animals from the top reserves in the Eastern Cape,” he says.
The auction, which starts at 12 on the Friday, attracts buyers from all over Southern Africa.
“We are already receiving enquiries about the buffalo, which are in demand because of their breeding and the fact that they are free of corridor disease, foot and mouth and tuberculosis,” he says.
Addo Elephant National Park buffalo have fetched over R500 000 at a Kirkwood auction.
The deputy minister of agriculture, Dr Pieter Mulder, is scheduled to open the annual Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees Auction, which takes place in the Wildsfees showgrounds on Friday, June 28 from 12:00. Dr Mulder is scheduled to speak at 11:30.
