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Watusi Cattle

The Watusi, aptly known as the Cattle of Kings, sport the largest and most impressive horns of all cattle. This ancient breed has played a huge role in African history and yet, like many other unimproved indigenous breeds, is under threat of disappearing due to indiscriminate cross breeding with improved exotic European breeds. They are kept predominantly in the Lakes district of Africa where the same breed is known by two different names; Watusi, and Ankole, the name just depends on the tribe keeping them. Watusi were not specifically kept for meat, nor as a beast of burden, instead were bled and milked, then the two substances mixed together to make a high protein clabbered milk drink which is a staple in the tribes diet. They are also a symbol of wealth and social status, with the Kings owning cattle with the largest horns. Watusi horns can reach 8 feet (243.84cm) tip to tip and can have a base circumference of up to 18 inches (45.72cm).

Watusi Photo Gallery

    Watusi cattle have existed for more than 7000 years and there are paintings on cave walls and Egyptian tombs depicting them. These cattle are resistant to many of the endemic diseases and parasites of Africa. They have strong social bonds and have developed unique behaviors which help prevent predation. The large horns are said to act as a cooling system as well as a defense mechanism against predators such as jackals and lions. Their small highly attached udders produce quality rather than quantity, with the milk being reputed to have a high butter fat content of 8%.

    Only a very small number were ever exported from their home lands. This consisted of three consignments: the first two were shipped out by the Shultz family, the first in 1927 consisting of 7 Bulls and 14 cows, another shipment of the same in 1930, and a further 6 animals in 1939. These were all for zoological collections and formed the foundation populations in Europe, England, Sweden, Australia, Canada, the U.S. and anywhere else that they exist outside of Africa. It is believed that World War II took a big toll on what were already low numbers of the breed in Europe. Americas first Watusi arrived in the 1960s, but very few were ever imported and they were only kept by zoos until 1979. There after, private breeders had access to them and used a grading-up system to increase the numbers and help diversify the gene pool. A bull, and possibly a cow or cows, existed in a zoo somewhere in Australia until approximately 30 years ago and presumably died of old age. From that point the Watusi seem to have become extinct in Australia.

    However, persistent research has discovered that some trace of the breed remained in Australia. was eventually given a lead by Don Constable of Lazy D Longhorns in Queensland, provided a lead to someone rumored to have 20 straws of frozen Watusi semen which were a remnant of the bull from the Australian zoo. Continued persistence led to the discovery of 100 straws of semen stored in liquid nitrogen and these were made available to The Rare Breeds Farm.

    It is now possible to commence a breeding program and resurrect this majestic and ancient breed from extinction in Australia. Further to this KI Rare Breeds farm have purchased a small herd of Watusi in Africa and aim to import genetics from these in the near future. If any one has any information, or photos of any other Watusi/Ankole in Australia could you please contact Will.