watusi for beginners and

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WATUSI FOR BEGINNERS

AND FROM THE BEGINNINGMAY 17, 2012ADMINISTRATOR

Editors note: This article originally appeared in 1996 in Watusi

World but has been preserved in its original form as it is still so

informative.

By: Marlin Neidhardt

A brief overview of the beginning of Watusi cattle in America and

cattle husbandry. Written by a layman, for a layman.

Watusi, The Cattle of Kings, invoke a special feeling in the

hearts of those they touch. So, if you see these magnificent, huge

horned cattle and they stir a magic feeling in your soul it is

something special to nurture and enjoy.

A first hand knowledge of cattle in general is certainly helpful. If

you dont have cattle know how, in order to become a Watusi

owner you will need to study bovine care and then add the study

of Watusi habits and needs. It is a fact that while they are bovine,

they have certain special personality trails and different needs

than average cattle.

Our first introduction to Watusi added fuel to a fire that was

already burning with regard to horned cattle. Fascinated with
http://www.watusi.org/2012/watusi-for-beginners-and-from-the-beginning/http://www.watusi.org/author/admin/http://www.watusi.org/author/admin/http://www.watusi.org/2012/watusi-for-beginners-and-from-the-beginning/


2/55

Texas Longhorns and Scotch Highlanders, our 1980 introduction

to Watusi was exciting, leading us to the different, rare and

unique! After seeing pictures and reading the sketchy bits of

information that was available we lived and breathed how to

acquire a Watusi. Even One would be a feat as very few full

blood (later to be called Foundation Pure) Watusi were owned

privately. We decided to try AI (artificial insemination) using

Watusi semen on longhorn cows. This experience was invaluable

as even 1/2 blood Watusi carry strong characteristics of the breed

and helped us to understand Watusi husbandry. These 1/2 bloodfemales were the first rung on the ladder in an upbreeding

program. Each successive generation bred back Watusi brought

the offspring closer to full blood Watusi.

Even the half blood calves sought out each other, seeming to

recognize the kinship and fulfilling their needs to socialize. These

babies carried unique color patterns (largely influenced by their

sire, Jimmy the Swede who was one of the very first Watusi from

whom semen was drawn. Very shortly there were several more

sires available, however, the flamboyant color pattern of the

Swedish line of Watusi left an indelible mark on the breed.

While longhorns have colorful hides and often have wide white

linebackers, the Watusi of Swedish influence have a pattern like

no other bovines have. A dark (generally red, brown or black)

body with white side markings of varying sizes and the white was

then speckled and spotted with the base body color. A unique


3/55

facial mask completed their colorful attire! These beautifully

colored individuals made a strong Watusi statement.

Others were solid colored and with use of various Watusi sires

crossed on longhorn dams, some were colored like longhorns.

(The discussion centers on percentage Watusi at this point.)

It must also be mentioned that almost all breeds were tried in the

upbreeding program. Results were quite varied and it became the

general consensus that the Texas longhorn was the best choicebecause they were more similar to the Watusi than the other

breeds were.

Back to the characteristics. The Watusi part blood calves were

incredibly alert worthy after birth. Born easily because of three

narrow body structure, these babies were ready to run! Instinct

for the danger of predators was apparent when some would dive

under their mothers when startled.

Now back to the availability of the Watusi in the U.S.A. One must

visualize the fact that prior to the early 1970s there were no

(none/zero!) Watusi in the United States. First brought into zoos,

they had come from Canada taking the long way from Africa.

Their travels spanned 40+ years and many trials and tribulations.

An extremely interesting and vital link in the Watusi story is that 21

head (14 cows and 7 bulls) left Africa in 1929 with a like shipment

leaving in 1930. (This exportation as accomplished by the


4/55

venturesome Walter Schulz family who were by profession animal

exporters/importers of the late 1800s and early 1900s.) These 42

head make up the genetic base of all Watusi presently residing

outside of Africa. They were taken first to Europe and distributed

to zoos there. The coming of W.W.II wreaked havoc on European

Zoos which was a sad state of affairs for many animal species

including the Watusi.

After the War, Watusi were brought to North American soil, first

into Canada and later, in the early 1970s finally into the U.S.A.

So, you can see, when they did arrive, they were both awesome

to view and extremely rare. By shortly before 1980 private

ownership became possible on a very limited basis. There was

great excitement as to what private breeders could accomplish

with such a unique breed if only they could possess 1 bull, or

even a pair of Foundation Watusi. It was speculated that the huge

horned cattle could be crossed with Texas longhorns, Scottish

Highlanders or Corriente cattle to create the perfect roping stock,

the ultimate rodeo bovine breeds, etc.

Fast growing, strong based horns could feasibly make steers

ready to rope at less than a year of age. Thrifty stock with the

ability to survive on lesser quality forage in lesser amounts, etc.

were all traits that went with the plan.

To a certain extent these predictions were accurate, They did


5/55

rapidly grow horn, however, as all good animal husbandry folks

will tell, you cant starve a profit into anything. The Watusi and

Watusi crosses are a lean bellied stock and do not need huge

amounts of feed, but they certainly do much better on good

quality feed!

Importers brought in addition a small number of Foundation

Watusi from zoos and game parks in Sweden and England in the

early 1980s. These two sources were able to pass the rigid health

requirements at that time.

Thus the first Watusi that we personally heard of was Jimmy the

Swede and the Watusi herd of the Rare Animal Survival Center,

Ocala, Florida. Being rare, these cattle were out of sight price

wise. There were few owners of foundation Watusi at this time.

Mostly folks highly interested in horned cattle and they felt - the

bigger the better, which was exactly what Watusi could supply!

I remember asking how much barn space they would need

because of the horn span. The reply was, this is a very social

breed they Glum together. Why, you could put eleven of them

in a box stall!! Well this statement sure did have some truth! Of

course, one wouldnt really try such a feat (unless in a contest

such as, how many people can be crowded into a phone booth!!)

But once we had developed our own herd of Watusi cattle we

understood the statement, for where one is, they all are!


6/55

I am telling these facts and tidbits because those of you who have

recently been introduced to Watusi missed the thrill, excitement

and leaning experiences of the early ears of Watusi owners. I feel

that you need to know the past so that you can understand the

Watusi of the present.

These great cattle have maintained the status of The Cattle of

Kings because of their magnificent way of being. They are much

more plentiful today (1996) and much more affordable but they

dont know all of that. they just go on being Watusi. God createdthem with a special attitude, unique traits and characteristics and

they have gone on undaunted over an estimated 8000 years.

Because of the small genetic base the upbreeding program was

immediately accepted by the World Watusi Association when it

formed in 1984. There were cattle showing the signs of inbreeding

weakness such as finished bodies, homeliness, unthriftiness, hip

problems, low fertility or late fertility, etc.

As a breeders have carefully selected matings, infused new

blood, etc over the past 13 years, the Watusi in the USA have

strengthened. Today the inbreeding problems appear to be

eliminated. Comparisons to the earliest arrivals show improved

horn growth and body structure. Many of todays Watusi are even

more magnificent than the first ones that came to our country.

The animals that beginning breeders have to select from are for


7/55

the most part a much more sound investment.

While numbers have definitely increased the Watusi are still a

very RARE BREED. Watusi are not for everyone to own, but for

those who want to, have the ability and facilities, the Cattle of

Kings can impart a special feeling to their hearts. Watusi is a

breed to be cherished, preserved and enjoyed. They are truly

RARE.

(Administrators Note: Marlin Neidhardt of Crawford, Nebraskaserved on the Board of Directors of the World Watusi Association

for a number of years.)

WATUSI FOR BEGINNERSAND FROM THE BEGINNINGMAY 17, 2012ADMINISTRATOR

Editors note: This article originally appeared in 1996 in Watusi

World but has been preserved in its original form as it is still so

informative.

By: Marlin Neidhardt

A brief overview of the beginning of Watusi cattle in America and

cattle husbandry. Written by a layman, for a layman.
http://www.watusi.org/2012/watusi-for-beginners-and-from-the-beginning/http://www.watusi.org/2012/watusi-for-beginners-and-from-the-beginning/http://www.watusi.org/2012/watusi-for-beginners-and-from-the-beginning/http://www.watusi.org/author/admin/http://www.watusi.org/2012/watusi-for-beginners-and-from-the-beginning/http://www.watusi.org/2012/watusi-for-beginners-and-from-the-beginning/http://www.watusi.org/2012/watusi-for-beginners-and-from-the-beginning/http://www.watusi.org/author/admin/


8/55

Watusi, The Cattle of Kings, invoke a special feeling in the

hearts of those they touch. So, if you see these magnificent, huge

horned cattle and they stir a magic feeling in your soul it is

something special to nurture and enjoy.

A first hand knowledge of cattle in general is certainly helpful. If

you dont have cattle know how, in order to become a Watusi

owner you will need to study bovine care and then add the study

of Watusi habits and needs. It is a fact that while they are bovine,

they have certain special personality trails and different needsthan average cattle.

Our first introduction to Watusi added fuel to a fire that was

already burning with regard to horned cattle. Fascinated with

Texas Longhorns and Scotch Highlanders, our 1980 introduction

to Watusi was exciting, leading us to the different, rare and

unique! After seeing pictures and reading the sketchy bits of

information that was available we lived and breathed how to

acquire a Watusi. Even One would be a feat as very few full

blood (later to be called Foundation Pure) Watusi were owned

privately. We decided to try AI (artificial insemination) using

Watusi semen on longhorn cows. This experience was invaluable

as even 1/2 blood Watusi carry strong characteristics of the breed

and helped us to understand Watusi husbandry. These 1/2 blood

females were the first rung on the ladder in an upbreeding

program. Each successive generation bred back Watusi brought

the offspring closer to full blood Watusi.


9/55

Even the half blood calves sought out each other, seeming to

recognize the kinship and fulfilling their needs to socialize. These

babies carried unique color patterns (largely influenced by their

sire, Jimmy the Swede who was one of the very first Watusi from

whom semen was drawn. Very shortly there were several more

sires available, however, the flamboyant color pattern of the

Swedish line of Watusi left an indelible mark on the breed.

While longhorns have colorful hides and often have wide white

linebackers, the Watusi of Swedish influence have a pattern likeno other bovines have. A dark (generally red, brown or black)

body with white side markings of varying sizes and the white was

then speckled and spotted with the base body color. A unique

facial mask completed their colorful attire! These beautifully

colored individuals made a strong Watusi statement.

Others were solid colored and with use of various Watusi sires

crossed on longhorn dams, some were colored like longhorns.

(The discussion centers on percentage Watusi at this point.)

It must also be mentioned that almost all breeds were tried in the

upbreeding program. Results were quite varied and it became the

general consensus that the Texas longhorn was the best choice

because they were more similar to the Watusi than the other

breeds were.

Back to the characteristics. The Watusi part blood calves were


10/55

incredibly alert worthy after birth. Born easily because of three

narrow body structure, these babies were ready to run! Instinct

for the danger of predators was apparent when some would dive

under their mothers when startled.

Now back to the availability of the Watusi in the U.S.A. One must

visualize the fact that prior to the early 1970s there were no

(none/zero!) Watusi in the United States. First brought into zoos,

they had come from Canada taking the long way from Africa.

Their travels spanned 40+ years and many trials and tribulations.An extremely interesting and vital link in the Watusi story is that 21

head (14 cows and 7 bulls) left Africa in 1929 with a like shipment

leaving in 1930. (This exportation as accomplished by the

venturesome Walter Schulz family who were by profession animal

exporters/importers of the late 1800s and early 1900s.) These 42

head make up the genetic base of all Watusi presently residing

outside of Africa. They were taken first to Europe and distributed

to zoos there. The coming of W.W.II wreaked havoc on European

Zoos which was a sad state of affairs for many animal species

including the Watusi.

After the War, Watusi were brought to North American soil, first

into Canada and later, in the early 1970s finally into the U.S.A.

So, you can see, when they did arrive, they were both awesome

to view and extremely rare. By shortly before 1980 private

ownership became possible on a very limited basis. There was


11/55

great excitement as to what private breeders could accomplish

with such a unique breed if only they could possess 1 bull, or

even a pair of Foundation Watusi. It was speculated that the huge

horned cattle could be crossed with Texas longhorns, Scottish

Highlanders or Corriente cattle to create the perfect roping stock,

the ultimate rodeo bovine breeds, etc.

Fast growing, strong based horns could feasibly make steers

ready to rope at less than a year of age. Thrifty stock with the

ability to survive on lesser quality forage in lesser amounts, etc.were all traits that went with the plan.

To a certain extent these predictions were accurate, They did

rapidly grow horn, however, as all good animal husbandry folks

will tell, you cant starve a profit into anything. The Watusi and

Watusi crosses are a lean bellied stock and do not need huge

amounts of feed, but they certainly do much better on good

quality feed!

Importers brought in addition a small number of Foundation

Watusi from zoos and game parks in Sweden and England in the

early 1980s. These two sources were able to pass the rigid health

requirements at that time.

Thus the first Watusi that we personally heard of was Jimmy the

Swede and the Watusi herd of the Rare Animal Survival Center,

Ocala, Florida. Being rare, these cattle were out of sight price


12/55

wise. There were few owners of foundation Watusi at this time.

Mostly folks highly interested in horned cattle and they felt - the

bigger the better, which was exactly what Watusi could supply!

I remember asking how much barn space they would need

because of the horn span. The reply was, this is a very social

breed they Glum together. Why, you could put eleven of them

in a box stall!! Well this statement sure did have some truth! Of

course, one wouldnt really try such a feat (unless in a contest

such as, how many people can be crowded into a phone booth!!)But once we had developed our own herd of Watusi cattle we

understood the statement, for where one is, they all are!

I am telling these facts and tidbits because those of you who have

recently been introduced to Watusi missed the thrill, excitement

and leaning experiences of the early ears of Watusi owners. I feel

that you need to know the past so that you can understand the

Watusi of the present.

These great cattle have maintained the status of The Cattle of

Kings because of their magnificent way of being. They are much

more plentiful today (1996) and much more affordable but they

dont know all of that. they just go on being Watusi. God created

them with a special attitude, unique traits and characteristics and

they have gone on undaunted over an estimated 8000 years.

Because of the small genetic base the upbreeding program was


13/55

immediately accepted by the World Watusi Association when it

formed in 1984. There were cattle showing the signs of inbreeding

weakness such as finished bodies, homeliness, unthriftiness, hip

problems, low fertility or late fertility, etc.

As a breeders have carefully selected matings, infused new

blood, etc over the past 13 years, the Watusi in the USA have

strengthened. Today the inbreeding problems appear to be

eliminated. Comparisons to the earliest arrivals show improved

horn growth and body structure. Many of todays Watusi are evenmore magnificent than the first ones that came to our country.

The animals that beginning breeders have to select from are for

the most part a much more sound investment.

While numbers have definitely increased the Watusi are still a

very RARE BREED. Watusi are not for everyone to own, but for

those who want to, have the ability and facilities, the Cattle of

Kings can impart a special feeling to their hearts. Watusi is a

breed to be cherished, preserved and enjoyed. They are truly

RARE.

(Administrators Note: Marlin Neidhardt of Crawford, Nebraska

served on the Board of Directors of the World Watusi Association

for a number of years.)

ARTICLES
http://www.watusi.org/category/organization/articles/http://www.watusi.org/category/organization/articles/


14/55

A SHORT HISTORY OF

WATUSI CATTLEMAY 17, 2012ADMINISTRATOR

Over 8,000 years ago humans first domesticated Aurochs, the

wild ancestor of the numerous breeds of cattle that have played

such an important role in human development. In the thousands

of years after this first momentous event, humans have bred

herds of domesticated animals for use as transportation,

companions, protection, clothing and food. In these domesticated

groups individual animals exhibiting certain characteristics were

selected by the herdmaster and bred to each other. The resulting

generations ultimately created the hundreds of breeds of cattle

presently known to man. The Aurochs themselves became extinct

prior to 1627, but their legacy lives on.

For some 6000 years a group of very similar cattle with huge

horns have played a role in the lives of African tribes. Various

breeds of cattle were mixed through generations as humans

moved across the African continent until the distinctive Sanga

type was produced. Sanga cattle are the background type for

many of the individual breeds now available. One of the oldest

and definitely most exciting breeds of these cattle is most

commonly referred to as Watusi. Also known as the Cattle of

Kings, Ankole cattle and Royal Ox, this breed originated in

eastern Africa, most commonly in the areas of Uganda, Kenya,
http://www.watusi.org/2012/a-short-history-of-watusi-cattle/http://www.watusi.org/2012/a-short-history-of-watusi-cattle/http://www.watusi.org/2012/a-short-history-of-watusi-cattle/http://www.watusi.org/author/admin/http://www.watusi.org/2012/a-short-history-of-watusi-cattle/http://www.watusi.org/2012/a-short-history-of-watusi-cattle/http://www.watusi.org/2012/a-short-history-of-watusi-cattle/http://www.watusi.org/author/admin/


15/55

Rwanda, Burundi, Lake Victoria and Tanganyika. The various

members of this breed are often named for the tribe that raises

them or are classified by the area in which they are raised;

Watusi, for the Tutsi tribes of Rwanda and Burundi; Ankole,

Bahima, Bashi and Kigezi and Kivu. Cave drawings which have

survived for thousands of years, as well as Egyptian tomb

paintings. These and other artifacts suggest that the

predecessors to the present day breed played an important role in

the lives of the tribes. In Rwanda where the Tutsi ruled the

common type of Watusi were known as Insanga (meaning theones which were found because according to tradition they had

been discovered by the first kings) and exceptional individuals

with huge horns were known as Inyambo (the cows with long,

long horns purportedly to have been twelve feet or more from tip

to tip)and were only owned by the King and considered to be

sacred.

The cattle herds played an important role in tribal life. The herds

provided a form of barter, trade and a sign of wealth within the

tribe. The animals provide a source of food when none would

otherwise have been available. Seldom slaughtered for meat,

except in ceremonies such as the coming of adulthood, the cows

are frequently milked and bled to make a yogurt like high protein

drink. This clabbered milk drink is a staple to the diet. The animals

themselves provide status for a man within the tribe, his wealth

being measured by the number and quality of animals that he

owns. In addition they are used as gifts to a brides family at the


16/55

time of marriage a tradition known as bridewealth. Physically even

present day Watusi are striking. They posess the largest and most

dramatic horns of any breed of cattle. Individuals in this country

have been known to have horn bases that measure 28 inches in

circumference, 8 inches in diameter and eight feel from tip to tip.

The horns vary from lateral almost flat growth to an upswept

arched shape known as lyre, sometimes with the tips almost

touching. Watusi are stately and tall, relatively long legged and

posses a small to negligible cervico-thorasic hump (placed up

towards the base of the neck). These animals have an extremelylong, rope-like tail for swatting insects. Watusi are most commonly

a deep red or red with some white speckling, however, they are

also known to occur in black, brown, white, yellow, dun, gray and

brindled as well as some heavily spotted combination of these

colors.

Nature helped to develop the characteristics of Watusi in order to

allow the survival of the breed. In the predator infested wilderness

of eastern Africa an animal that could not protect itself and its

young from predators would be doomed to quick and violent death

and eventual extinction. Similarly they must remain strong under

adverse conditions to still survive the attacks. For this reason

nature and the herdsmen selected the large horned females that

could fend off the cunning attacks of groups of jackals or lions to

protect herself and her young., The young have to be born quickly

and they must be strong enough to outrun the predators within a

short time of birth. The mother must produce a highly nutritious


17/55

milk to nourish the young for the speed and stamina necessary in

the environment and must be able to produce it from whatever

feed may be available.

In Watusi the cows and bulls are long legged, making them

capable of running and jumping with tremendous agility. The cows

have a small, tight udder that would not be an easy target for

predators or thorn bushes, yet they produce milk to nourish their

young that tests out with very high butter fat. They give birth to a

very small calf with the ease that is natural to wild species ofanimals. The calves are especially alert and are capable of

running along with their mothers and the herd within a short time

of birth. The breed is highly social, much preferring to stay in a

group for company and protection. At night they tend to form a

circle with adults lying on the outside, horns out to protect the

calves located in the inner circle. The calves will hang in groups;

by day, always in close proximity to at least one adult and when

frightened will instinctively run in front of the horns of a retreating

mother or under her belly for protection.

Modern Watusi are a medium sized bovine with cows generally

weighing from 800 to 1200 pounds and bulls weighing from 1000

to 1600 pounds. The newborn calves weigh from 30 to 50 pounds.

In the animal industry there are almost as many reasons behind

and goals in front of an operation as there are people involved.

Watusi can till the requirements of many aspects of this industry.

The first and most obvious is the uniqueness of this animal. They


18/55

look exotic and are certain show stoppers as a display novelty.

With this animal you can have it all. They are striking for display

as are antelopes, gazelles and other, horned hoofstock, yet

handle with the ease of cattle. To cattle breeders, Watusi possess

some very desirable traits of great importance to the potential

buyer and many that have been lost or bred out of other modern

breeds. In addition they can add some exiting differences that

appeal to a broad range of needs and desires. In the harsh

environment in which this breed has adapted for centuries,

survival is the primary consideration. through all of these yearsthey have become highly tolerant to brutal extremes of condition.

Watusi are especially resistant to drought, heat and direct

sunlight. Their huge horns (shown at right) act as a natural

cooling system by circulating blood through to the ends of the

horn to disperse the heat before returning it to the body. In

addition, their digestive systems have the ability to utilize poor

quality and limited quantities of food and water. Their native

homeland can boast days in the which temperatures can soar to

120 and nights can plummet to 20, this in addition to low quality

sparsely available feeds, seasonally limited water supplies,

virulent diseases, predators and parasites that would have long

ago destroyed less hardy animals. Yet through it al, Watusi have

flourished. These survival abilities have allowed them as a breed

to not only survive the centuries in Africa but to become

established on the continents of Europe, South America, Australia

and North America.


19/55


20/55

pedigrees of Watusi cattle worldwide. It maintains the breeding

registry and stud book as well as regulates the standards by

which this multi-faceted breed is known. The Association also

sanctions sales and shows in order to help promote and present

these magnificent animals to the public. The World Watusi

Association publishes information on this breed in its official

newsletter Watusi World which is available in the bi-monthly

publication,Rare Breeds Journal.

ARTICLES

HORNS, HORNS, AND MORE

HORNSMAY 17, 2012CINDI DARLING

It is no great revelation to any Watusi enthusiast whether a cattle

owner or not that the most important and distinguishing feature of

this species is the horn. Most of us are aware that the Watusi

breed is composed of animals with huge, heavy and long horns.

The heaviest and longest of all cattle breeds in the world. But not

everyone is really aware just how difficult it is to come up with

those fantastic horns.

Just because an animal is a Watusi or part Watusi does not mean

that it will of necessity grow huge, long horns. It is true that the

genetics of the breed will generally cause most individuals to

develop better horn than other breeds, but the real value of the
http://www.rarebreedsjournal.com/http://www.watusi.org/category/organization/articles/http://www.watusi.org/2012/horns-horns-and-more-horns/http://www.watusi.org/2012/horns-horns-and-more-horns/http://www.watusi.org/2012/horns-horns-and-more-horns/http://www.watusi.org/author/cindi/http://www.rarebreedsjournal.com/http://www.watusi.org/category/organization/articles/http://www.watusi.org/2012/horns-horns-and-more-horns/http://www.watusi.org/2012/horns-horns-and-more-horns/http://www.watusi.org/2012/horns-horns-and-more-horns/http://www.watusi.org/author/cindi/


21/55


22/55

If we try to research the statistics of this breed we are very

disappointed. It appears that not many scholars are even aware of

the existence of Watusi (Ankole) cattle, let along have much

information on them, their history, development or specifications.

Circumference of the horn base varies tremendously. Small bases

would start at about 8 to 10 inches; at this circumference the horn

is still slightly larger than most other breeds. Even with a base this

small the length of the horn can reach great distances. I have

personally measured several long horned Watusi cows and amcontinually shocked by what a small increase it takes to make a

tremendous difference in appearance to the circumference. For

instance, I have two skulls from mature Foundation Pure cows of

average quality. One of these cows measures 12 inches in

circumference; each horn is 36 inches in length but only 46 inches

tip to tip as she was an upswept shape. The other skull measures

12.5 inches in circumference, 31 inches in length to each horn

and 59.5 inches from tip to tip. This last cow impressed people as

being much heavier horned than the first, with actually smaller

horns and only inch additional base.

We have several cows with 18-inch circumference and over 30-

inch length to each horn; they walk with a rolling motion to

balance these huge appendages. Photos and faraway pasture

views do not do these animals justice, one needs to get close up

and personal, then even 10 inches is big!


23/55

The photos that accompany this article are of two particular

percentage cattle that we chose as an example of what a

controlled cross breeding program can produce. The cow shown

with her calf is a cross ( being longhorn) named Country

Special bred by Zavislan Ranches. For quality this cow could

stand against most foundation pure in the country, she had a

good solid base, obviously long length and she is still young. A

fine example of what a controlled breeding program can produce.

The second photo is a young Native Pure bull named EAP AfricanSam, bred by Exotic Animal Paradise. Sam is unique in that he

has a horn base that is unbelievable. Still growing in breadth and

length they are already 21.5 inches in circumference. The next

challenge is with the offspring of this sort of quality horned

individuals.

As Don Zavislan describes in his article, which is reprinted in this

issue of Watusi World, there are a variety of differing horn styles,

shapes, and sizes. He further points out that we need to keep

complete records of our attempts at improving the breed, even or

maybe especially the failures. This breed is represented by very

few animals in comparison to most other breeds, which makes is

all the more important that we keep track of every little scrap of

information if we are ever going to be able to accurately predict

what future generations will be like.

ARTICLES
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SELECTION OF A HERDSIREMAY 17, 2012ADMINISTRATOR

Editors note: Reprinted with permission from Watusi World, Vol 1,Issue II

The selection of a herd sire is by far the most critical factor in

determining 50 percent of the genetic potential of every breeders

future calf crops. Any decision on a herd bull should be well

planned and not a sentimental or hasty one. Often, the auction

bargain may not prove to meet the highest requirements either. Inthis article we shall deal with the major considerations and

decisions involving sire selection.

EVALUATE COWS:

The cows on which the new sire will be used should largely

dictate the type of bull needed. Many combinations of problems

can be corrected through selection of a bull that is strong in these

areas. The opposite also holds true; when a cow herd has

weaknesses and the new herd dire has the same one, these

adverse characteristics are strongly concentrated, making the

traits dominant. Even the best bull may not be able to overcome

these problem traits in subsequent generations. Therefore, theweaknesses of the cow herd should be your first consideration.

REVIEW GOALS:
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Your goals for future quality requirements will be an important

factor in packing out a bull. In every project, different people have

different goals. The person we can appreciate the most, the

person every breed organization depends on is the one who is a

perfectionist and goal all out for quality.

The perfectionist will drive to the backside of Kalamazoo to

purchase that one best bull. He will not sell, at all, the top results

of his herd. Those best ones are cherished like gold. This

persons goals are different from the person who just has a fewhead to keep the grass eaten off, and doesnt get involved enough

to keep up with the breed progress. In each generation, we can

expect a possible breed improvement of 2 to 30 percent with good

management. Goals can be established that will determine the

percentage of herd improvement by the amount of study and

diligence each breeder wants to apply.

GENETIC CONSISTENCY:

The Mexicans used to say, Alligators dont have puppies. Its the

same way with bloodlines. Assuming that a bull sires true to his

ancestral lineage, lets consider his bloodlines first.

A mediocre cow and bull may sometimes produce what appears

to be an outstanding son. He looks like herd sire material. He may

possibly be the one-in-a hundred that outsires all his ancestors,

but heres a stronger possibility that his calves will grow up to look


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like his own sire and dam mediocre!

A safe principal to follow is never use a herd bull unless you want

to raise calves like his sire and dam. Nine times out of ten he will

produce his own genetic traits. To be on the safe side, a young

herd sire out of the best cow and bull in the breed would be an

ideal starting place. So what, if you have to drive a thousand miles

to get him? The pleasant satisfaction of owning quality will remain

long after the sting of the high price has gone.

ANCESTRY & DISPOSITION:

The bulls dam should have many qualities. Her ability to produce

ample rich milk to raise a fat calf every year is a must. Think for a

moment, of the opposite: What would it be like three years down

the road to have a pasture full of two-year -old replacement

heifers sired by a bull of low milk-producing genetics? The heifers

calves are poor, lacking appeal, short of disease resistance and

slightly hard to sell. That problem can be eliminated in sire

selection. The cow with the biggest, fattest calf at side proves she

is a top milker. When she can produce this way and still maintain

good flesh herself, youre looking at a good, thrifty cow. That is an

important quality for a cow herd.

Problems of disposition are hereditary just like color, horns and

conformation. To use a bull whose ancestors were flighty and

nervous is to plan on raising that kind of cattle. Most people dont


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appreciate a heads-up bull [one that throws his head up and

leaves the area when you come near].

COLOR:

Color is a toss-up! Everybody has his choices and preferences.

Our breed has the color factors to create the colors of the

rainbow. That beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. The choice of

a herd sire will usually reflect the breeders preference for color.

CONFORMATION:

One of several critical areas of Watusi herd sire evaluation is

conformation. Other breeds consider conformation the major and

sometimes only criteria. When we ignore the importance of

conformation, it shows in comparison to other competitive

breeds . . . it shows in sales results . . . and eventually it shows

when we sell the worn out cows and bulls for hamburger.

The meat on the platter is, of course, the final showdown. And the

growthy, correct carcass is always the most profitable. Calves

from poor conformation bulls will always require more time and

feed to equal the growth progress of the better ones.

HORN GROWTH:

The Watusis most distinguishing feature is horn growth. The horn


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is symbolic of strength, power and majesty. Watusi horn shapes

come in a number of acceptable versions. The Lyre shape, which

is very high and rounded, was popularly bred for in Africa. There

are also horn shapes that are more lateral and also wide and

upsweeping. The diameter of the base of the Watusi horn also

has some variance but for the part the bases are very large.

The Percentage cattle show variance in horn shape and size

which is influenced by the outcross breed involved. Maintaining

optimum horn size and growth in breeding programs is animportant part of selection in breeding. Watusi are known to be

the largest, longest horned cattle in the world and in setting goals

for a breeding program breeders need to keep this majestic trait of

the Watusi cattle in mind.

In selecting a Watusi herd sire, horn growth is a very important

consideration.

SIRING ABILITY:

The supreme test of a herd bull is siring ability. If a bull is not

capable of siring one son better than himself within three calf

crops, hes a bummer. A true breeding animal can and will sire

progeny superior to himself.

The size of the future must be better than the past because the

breed is progressing so fast, we must improve just to keep pace.


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Even with the best study and planning in bull selection, its poor

business to trust any single bull with a valuable herd of cows for

very many years. A good, safe program is to use a bull only one

or two years, then allow his offspring to mature and use him again

on the females he mated best with. A bull has the authority to do a

good job, or totally waste your year with sorry calves.

Whatever you approach to herd sire selection diligent study,

miles of search, planning, money, or the flip of a coin the quality

of your results will reveal your understanding of this most seriousof all decisions in the cattle business.

WATUSI WORLD

ARTICLES

THE CATTLE OF KINGS

SURFACE IN AMERICAMAY 17, 2012ADMINISTRATOR

Editors note: Reprinted from Watusi World, winter 1985

What are Watusi cattle? Where did they suddenly appear from?

What are they good for? How did they come to be? The following

is an account of this breed of cattle. An attempt to answer thesekey questions.

The cattle industry is a huge industry in our country. There are

many divisions to this industry and many varied needs to which
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end man is constantly striving. There are the Beef industry and

the Dairy industry as the two main lines. These two main lines are

then further broken down by desired traits which are selectively

bred for.

In recent years cattle people have been introduced to many

breeds of cattle which, though not new in the world, are new to

our country. Each of these breeds possess certain beneficial traits

that will enhance weaning weights, milk production, utilization of

feed, calving ease, etc.

The Watusi breed of cattle have been present in the North

American Continent since some time after World War II. Most of

this time these magnificent, huge horned cattle of ancient Africa

have been kept in Zoos. Only during the past few years have

private individuals taken note of their fine qualities and good traits.

The Watusi cattle are now owned by a number of private owners

throughout the country as well as by zoos and game farms.

Watusi is the most common of a number of names given to

several lines of very similar cattle that are propagated in eastern

Africa. They are generally names for the tribes that own them.

They are raised in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and parts of

the Sudan, the Congo, and Tanzania. They are one of the most

distinctive breeds of cattle in all Africa. Essentially they are a

cattle of mountain grasslands. The Watusi cattle are kept by

Watusi people on the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes. Here the


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cattle have developed a great degree of hardiness as temperature

often reach 120 F by day and drop to 20 F at night. The Watusi

cattle seen in southwestern Uganda along the Congo and

Rwanda borders are surviving in spite of more than the usual

handicaps to cattle raising in Africa, such as extreme overgrazing,

stockwater shortage and infectious disease.

Huge uprising horns are the most noticeable characteristic of the

Watusi cattle. They have been subject to selection for shape and

size of horns in the past. Individual horns will frequently measurefive feet in length, six feet tip to tip and 16-18 inches in

circumference. These cattle are considered sacred by the

tribesmen.

Watusi cattle are the product of natures selection for thousands of

years. Man has had a hand in shaping them to the extent of also

following natures instincts and propagating those with the longest,

largest horns, etc. selectively. Nature selected the animals in this

manner. A cow first must have large enough horns to protect

herself and secondly be able to protect her calf. If this horn growth

was not attained she could not keep predators such as hyenas at

bay. One bite from a hyena will cause an infection to rise in the

victims body and the hyena will then just follow close by for

several days, or as long as it takes, until the victim weakens.

Therefore those with inadequate horn growth would perish as well

as their offspring end of that bloodline. The same principal was

also true to some extent in the development of disease resistance.


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Those lacking resistance did not survive.

Watusi calves are born especially alert and within a little time can

run beside their mothers, much like a mare and foal. The calves

instinctively travel in front of their mothers, within the horns reach.

When frightened they will dive under the cow for further

protection.

The Watusi cattle are known to stick together [Glum together is a

term used by U.S. Watusi breeders to refer to this trait]. They dothis by day or night. By day they are always near to one another

and can thereby form a protective horns out circle if need be.

They also sleep in circle formation, originally with calves in the

center for protection. Along with the protective feature of their

glumming together goes the fact that they appear to be a highly

social breed and just plain enjoy and seek out each others

company.

The Tsetse fly is an extreme disease carrying problem in Africa

and to ward off them and other insects, these cattle have

developed an unusually long, ropelike tail.

This breed of cattle can survive on feed and water of poorer

quality and less quantity than most other breeds. Their digestive

system has the ability to use every bit of moisture, hence a very

dry manure.


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Watusi cattle did not just suddenly appear they have been in

existence for thousands of years. They, like all domestic cattle,

are descendants of the Aurochs, the prehistoric Wild Ox

mentioned in the Bible. The Aurochs roamed Europe, northern

Africa and parts of Asia, becoming completely extinct in 1627

when the last one dies near Warsaw, Poland. Watusi cattle were

evidenced in drawings on cave walls and pictured on Egyptian

monuments. It is known that they were introduced to western

Uganda as early as A.D. 1200 by the Bahima, a pastoral people

from the north. However, information on tomb drawings showslong-horned cattle had been domesticated in the Nile Valley by

4000 B.C., before historic times.

When the Bahima people arrived in the vicinity of Lake Victoria,

one line moved further south, west of the lake, and then spread

eastwards around its southern end and down the eastern border

of Tanganyika, where there were pastures and freedom from the

Tsetse-fly and other scourges.

Jurgen Schulz of the Catskill Game Farm, Catskill, New York, was

able to provide the following information about the spread of the

Watusi Cattle. Jurgens grandfather, Christoph Schulz, was an

animal exporter who lived in Tanganyika [now Tanzania].

Christoph Schulz, along with his son Walter imported some of

these cattle into Europe, mostly Germany, in the 1920s and

1930s. There they were kept in zoos. After World War II they

were propagated more and spread further about Europe and


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some were brought to Canada. Some cattle from Sweden were

imported into the United States. Jurgen and several other

importers have in recent years imported some of the cattle from

Sweden and England in the United States. Import laws are

extremely tight with regard to bringing these cattle into our

country. They are not allowed to come directly from Africa, but

rather must be the offspring of cattle that have been living in

countries such as Sweden or England. The stringent rules are a

protective device against bringing disease into our country. Both

Sweden and England are not foot and mouth disease countries,hence cattle born there are deemed safe for entrance to the

United States.

The Watusi people, also known as Tutsi or Batutsi are cattle

raisers and warriors. These people are descendants of an

invading group. They generally stand in a position of social and

economic superiority with respect to the other peoples of the area.

The Watusi brought cattle to Burundi and used them to conquer

the numerous Hutu population. The Hutu farmers became

subjects of the Watusi be receiving cows and protection in

exchange for their services.

In Burundi political and economic power was in the hands of the

GANWA class, a restricted hereditary political elite very small

number of the Watusi people. Provincial chiefs, as well as the

King or MWAMI, belonged to this class.


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The Sanga Watusi cattle of Rwanda and Burundi and the north

shore of Lake Kivu are a local sub-type of the cattle bred by the

Watusi people. The sacred cattle [Inyambo] of the King of Rwanda

are of this type. In the Inyambo strain the horns are huge. Horns

can reach a tip to tip span of 90+ inches or about eight feet. Horn

shape varies. Most common are U shaped or Lyre shaped. They

have been obtained by selective breeding and possibly training

the horns of young animals.

In Rwanda and Burundi some wealthy tribal chiefs keep gianthorned herds of cattle each chiefs cattle a certain color. One

herd red, one white, one spotted, etc. This custom is traceable to

an origin in Ethiopia.

The Watusi is usually dark red, but they can be every ordinary

color among cattle, including red, black, white, gray, brown,

yellow, and dun. A whole dark red is preferred or dark red with

small spots or large white splashes.

Times are changing in African livestock raising, just a they do all

over the world. Past customs are being forced to give way to

better management and the demand for more productivity. In the

past tribesmen of the Ankole District of Uganda have been semi-

nomadic. They had established homes in areas to which they

periodically returned. Cattle raising was their only occupation.

Ankole Tribesmen have followed the custom of killing male calves

at birth unless they were wanted for breeding. This custom is still


36/55

followed to some extent. In spite of this poor-seeming practice, the

tribes people are warmly attached to their cattle. The owners pet

the cattle and talk to them. Cows answer to their names, pushing

through the herd when called at milking time.

Milk is a very important part of the diet of the East African people.

The Watusi cattle produce high butterfat milk. Some of the

peoples traditionally let blood from their cattle which is mixed with

the milk to make a high protein food.

There is no refrigeration to keep food as we are used to. The milk

is stored in gourds raised by the agriculturalists. The gourds vary

much in size from vary small ones for a baby to suck on to large

storage vessels. The gourds are opened at the top and the inside

cleaned out by scraping and then putting in a burning stick to burn

the membranes and char the inside of the gourd. The milk stored

in these gourds takes on a smokey char type flavor. It soon begins

to sour into a clabbered milk called Moursik. Moursik is a main

staple of these people. Babied to old folks thrive on it as it is very

nutritious and aids digestion. A Mission Field worker, Gordon

Itrich, now of Belfield, North Dakota, tells that this smokey char

flavor becomes an acquired taste that is very desirable and one

begins to enjoy the smokey odor that permeates the very air

about the living quarters.

In the past the cattle totally affected the lives of their owners in

many aspects. The people who inter-marry could then inter-breed


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their cattle and by doing so a unique and yet simple breeding

program was maintained. At the time of marrying, a man must be

old enough and have enough cattle to be able to make a gift of

cattle to the family of the prospective bride. These are unrelated

cattle as he is unrelated to his new bride. Also, cattle were

commonly considered to be a symbol of status, wealth, and for a

long period they have been a medium of exchange.

For a Watusi tribesman to sell his long horned cattle without a

good reason would be scandalous and the man who did so wouldbe punished.

Their philosophy that a man owning cattle always has a good [in

hand] asset in time of emergency will get him what he wants may

not be all bad. The civilized world had held many problems with

runaway inflation in the money economy.

From the picture on the Egyptian monuments to their present day

surfacing in the mainstream of North American cattle breeding

programs the Watusi cattle have proven to be survivors.

Watusi cattle enthusiasts are now banding together through the

World Watusi Association to present these multi-faceted cattle to

the public. They are gaining acceptance among cattle breeders

foe a number of important reasons. First, because it is most

noticeable, is the novelty aspect there is status involved in

breeding Watusi carrel. Second, they promise to make an


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excellent contribution to the Rodeo industry in the form of roping

calves, roping steers and eventually bucking bulls. Third, when

crossed with beef breeds the offspring show a hybrid vigor

capable of producing beef animals of the lean, cholesterol free

type that modern day shoppers demand. Fourth, there is an

opportunity to get involved in a cross breeding program using

existing females of any horned breed and having a registerable

product in their female offspring, starting at half bloods and

working on up to Purebreds at seven-eighths bloods. This is the

same type of breeding program commonly used in a number ofEuropean breeds.

ARTICLES

FIRST WATUSI IN THE USAMAY 12, 2012ADMINISTRATOR

Reprinted with permission from Watusi World, Vol 5, Issue I

November 9, 1960 marks the date that the first Watusi cattle ever

to enter the United States arrived. In a cooperative effort between

the Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark and the Catskill Game Farm of

Catskill, New York, two young bulls, one speckled red and white in

color and one solid red were the first to arrive. They were born inScandinavia of parentage direct from Africa generations before.

The Catskill Game Farm propagates many, many breeds and

species of animals but also opens a public exhibit during the
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summer months. At that time the Watusi were a new and unique

addition to their exhibits.

There were no female Watusi to go with these males until

November 27, 1963 when a red cow with a few small white spots

was brought in from the Alberta Game Farm at Edmonton,

Alberta, Canada. This cow had been born at the Chester Zoo in

England on July 7, 1961. At the time that she came to Catskill

Game Farm she was pregnant and on February 23, 1964 she

gave birth to a heifer calf. The birth of a heifer was fortunate asmore cows were needed to continue with the Watusi propagation

project.

On May 23, 1965 the Alberta Game Farm cow gave birth to a

solid red bull calf which then became the first born of actual

Catskill Game Farm breeding.

As the breeding program progressed an outcross bull was brought

in from Alberta in December of 1973. Other than this the entire

herd has been built from the one original cow and her daughter.

As Watusi breeders we sometimes need to reflect back on the

very small beginnings and limited supply of breeding stock

available in our country. As time went on there were various

importations of cattle that were brought in from the Scandinavian

countries or from England in the late 70s and early 80s, never in

large numbers. We can be proud to have come as far as we have


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with our Association and the registration and documents of its

cattle. We can be thankful to the people who had the forethought

to bring any of these cattle to the United States in the first place.

ARTICLES

THE SWEDE PATTERN

FAMOUS ANCIENT WATUSI

COLOR PATTERNMARCH 23, 2012DAROL DICKINSON

Jimmie the Swede was a full blood Watusi imported to the USA

from the Stockholm Zoo in Sweden by Jimmy Tarbox of

Oklahoma. He was the first Watusi available in North America in

frozen semen, the first to sire a Watusi embryo transfer and

appears in the most pedigrees of any Watusi sire this side of

Africa. Although he has been replaced by modern bulls with more

horn, he left his Swedish Pattern color in Mexico, Canada and in

between.

The famous unique Swedish Pattern was unlike all other Watusi

imported to the USA. One can draw a line from the center of the

nose to the center of the neck, on back down the middle of theside and to the center of the hip. The Swede Pattern will be dark

above that line and white with variations of spots below the line.

When he first arrived at Dickinson Cattle Co in Colorado none had

any idea of the strength of this pattern, nor the fact it did not
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appear on any other American Watusi or any other cattle breed,

unless it came from Jimmy The Swede.The first embryo transfer

full blood Watusi, sired by JTS had the horizontal spot pattern line

with the solid upper body color.

Dont be surprised to see this color on bucking bulls in PBR.

Some of the JTS down-line progeny have exhibited some

determined athletic abilities to buck high as a kite and be nasty as

a lame-duck politician.

This cow from Liars Lake is a grand daughter of JTS with the

Swede line and so is her calf. The calf line is lower than the

average JTS pattern, but unmistakable.

Afro traces 4 generations back to JTW. She sports the family

stamp slightly higher than most.

Of all wild cattle colors of a zillion different tones and patterns the

Swede Pattern is unmistakable. It has never been identified on

any critter that did not trace back to JTS. It is African in origin, a

minority color carried by a tiny genetic family of cattle who rode

out of Africa in crates nearly 100 years ago, came across the

Atlantic and now can be seen in 3 North American countries.

When you see it you will know it.

DAROL DICKINSONDICKINSON CATTLE COMPANYOHIOUNITED STATES

ARTICLES
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WATUSSIRENDER IN

HALLABRUNNAPRIL 2, 1992ADMINISTRATOR

EDITORS NOTE: In doing research on the Watusi

breed, Marleen Felius of the Netherlands made an

interesting discovery. We [WWA] had previously

reported that the only Watusi cattle ever brought out of

Africa were brought out in 1929 and 1930 by WalterSchulz and his father Christoph. Now it appears that

there was one more small shipment of 6 head also

brought to Germany from Africa in about 1939. The

following is a copy of part of the article which appeared

in the monthly journal of the Hellabrunn Zoo at

Munchen, Germany dated April 1939. Reprinted withpermission from Watusi World, Vol 4, Issue II.

By: Marleen Felius

Before the World War [I], the German explorer Professor D.

Berger visited East Africa and the behind lying country of the

Sultan of Uganda, in the source area of the Nile, between LakeVictoria and Lake Rudolf. Berger found a negro state with

crowded cities from a hight standing negro architecture and a

densly populated agricultural and cattle keeping country.
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The Sultan still was a mighty man, even though under British

colonialism. He ruled the Watusi (extremely beautiful and well

trained people). When the Sultan was informed about Europe, her

structures and inventions, after well listening he replied, You

white are great man, you can be proud on your possessions. But

still we have something you dont. Our pride is to possess cattle

with the biggest horns possible.

[Here is some more information about cattle breeds that

appeared, then another interesting story follows, the story aboutthe quarantine period of Watusi cattle imported to Germany]

After their arrival in Hamburg, the Watussi cattle were loaded in a

for this purpose specially adapted Elbkahne a barge. This

barge was moored on the wide part of the Elbe river so there was

no contact with the mainland. The men taking care of the cattle

during the quarantine period were not allowed to leave the barge.

Next to each Watussi animal a German one was stabled. To

diagnose any possible infections t once the veterinarian of import

affairs in Hamburg not just inspected the animals microscopically

by blood sample tests, but also regular blood was moved over

from the Watussi to the German control animals, to see if an

externally sound looking Watusi did not carry a hidden illness.

If there would have turned up any form of doubt about the health

of the animals, the whole herd on board the ship would have been


44/55

killed and destroyed.

This risk was for the animal dealer, Hermann Ruhe of Alfeld, near

Hanover. The several months lasting quarantine period, of course,

was expensive. Also the long journey from Central Africa to the

East Cost and from there by ship to Hamburg.

Because of the expenses one did not expect many such imports

to the Zoos, they decided to breed their own and the Munchener

Tierpark Zoo procured a very fine herd of six breeding animalsto breed these zoological treasures for themselves.

GERMANYMARLEEN FELIUS

ARTICLES

WATUSI BLOODLINES

APRIL 1, 1992ADMINISTRATORThis article originally appeared in the April-June 1992 edition of

Watusi World. Although the mention of actual numbers of animals

in the country has changed, we felt that the information contained

was worth remembering. We have left off the beginning

paragraphs that would no longer be timely.

WATUSI BLOODLINES By: Maureen Neidhardt

In selecting Watusi as breeding stock we also need to keep

in mind the original extremely small genetic base. Twenty-one
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head (14 cows and 7 bulls) were brought from Africa to Europe by

the Schulz family (Jurgen Schulzs father and grandfather) in 1929

with a repeat of this ship load (another 21 head) in 1930. One

additional article indicates that another exporter brought out 7

more Watusi cattle in 1939. This makes a total of 49 Watusi of

undocumented bloodlines that were EVER brought out of Africa.

These 49 cattle were originally placed in European zoos and then

had to endure World War II. Sometime after the war they were

spread into Sweden, England, Canada and finally the UnitedStates (not arriving in the U.S. until 1973).

Documentation on registration certificates has pinpointed these

cattle by their herd of origin as much as possible. Thus bloodlines

have gradually been established. The lines of Watusi Cattle in

North America are described as follows:

#1 The Catskill Game Farm herd of Catskill, New York. The

original Watusi that came to the U.S. were brought in through

Canada to Catskill Game Farm. The Game Farm was then

owned by Roland Lindermann, its originator. Several year ago

the Game Farm was purchased by Lindermanns son-in-law, J. C.

Schulz. The Catskill Game Farm herd is still maintained.

(EDITORS NOTE: This article was written in 1992. The Catskill

Game Farm has subsequently closed its doors, but the results of

their breeding can still be found in many of the current animals).


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#2 The Rare Animal Survival Center herd of Ocala, Florida.

These cattle were kept in a separate herd also owned by Roland

Lindermann. Sire selections were made between the two herds

from time to time through the years.

#3 The Alberta Game Farm herd of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

To the best of our knowledge when reference is made to this herd

they may also be called Al Oming Watusi, Lily Lake Ranches

Watusi or Red Barn Watusi. At any rate, they are Canadian bred

Watusi. They reflect their cold climate environment in that theyare generally heavier bodied animals and often heavier horned

than those of the Florida herd.

#4 The Okanagan Game Farm herd of Pentictan, British

Colombia, Canada. A second Canadian line of Watusi that also

reflect their climatic environment.

#5 Swedish bred Watusi were imported starting in 1980 or 81.

There may have been some earlier importations from Sweden

that we were not informed of). There were a number of these

cattle brought to the U.S. The most well known of these is the

immortal Jimmy the Swede. The Swedish line brought the very

unique color pattern that we have come to know as Jimmy the

Swede colored. Red bodies with white sides speckled in red,

unique white masked faces and very splashy patterns. This

pattern appears only in Watusi cattle.


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Swedish Watusi cattle appear to have come from two sources

which could possibly count as two bloodlines. One being the

Stockholm Zoo and the other being Kolmardens Djurpark,

Kolmarden, Sweden.

#6 English bred Watusi offer additional bloodlines. There have

been several sources of Watusi from England such as The Lions

of Longleat, Ltd. of Worcestershire; Ravensden Zoo of North Ants,

etc.

#7 The Great Adventure Park herd, Jackson, New Jersey are a

well known line here in the U.S.

#8 The Memphis Zoo herd, Memphis, Tennessee has also been

know for its Watusi line. Their main sire for many years was the

son of an Okanagan Game Farm bull known to measure tip to tip

over 104 inches. The Memphis Zoo herd has recently been

disbursed.

#9 The Oklahoma City Zoo herd provided a bloodlines that

shows in a number of pedigrees. This herd was disbursed a few

years ago.

#10 Audubon Park and Zoological Garden, New Orleans, LA has

been the source of a small number of breeding animals.

#11 Frankfurt Zoo Germany Frankfurt, Germany was a source of


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Watusi brought into Canada in former years. A unique

characteristic of several of these animals has been a mossy green

color to the horns.

#12 Berlin Zoo, Berlin, Germany, also a source of Watusi

imported into Canada in years gone by.

#13 Florida City Exotics, Florida City, Florida was once a zoo

source of Watusi.

#14 Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida has been the source of a

number of interesting, colorful very long horned Watusi. (Possibly

mostly of Canadian lines.)

#15 Grants Farm, St. Louis, Missouri was established by the late

August A. Busch, Jr. They maintained a herd of Watusi cattle that

were interchanged with Busch Gardens. Breeding stock has also

emerged from this herd.

#16 Hacienda Compo Alegre, Texas based ranch belonging to

the Rockerfeller family of New York City. Watusi Cattle on this

ranch are outstanding individuals derived from Rare Animal

Survival Center and Catskill Game farm stock. A colorful

imported Swedish bred sire played an important role in this herd

around 1980.

#17 Dahlas Rhone, Cozad, Nebraska disbursed of most of his


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Watusi cattle several years ago. His herd consisted of Canadian

lines. A number of breeding animals that are making an impact

on the industry came from this herd.

#18 Exotic Animal Paradise, owned by Pat Jones of Springfield,

Missouri has played an interesting role as perhaps the earliest

upbreeding program established in the country. Foudation Pure

bulls of zoo stock were used on Texas longhorn and Scottish

highland cows already in the mid 1970s. These offspring were

crossed back to Watusi bulls. The results are a rewardingexample to breeders in the Watusi percentage program who may

wonder what their ultimate product can be. A number of their

Native Pure breeding animals are now being used by the public.

#19 Any omissions to this list or errors in reporting are purely

unintentional. There are a number of very serious, dedicated

breeders who have made great progress in the strengthenig and

preservation of this breed. They have used selective breeding in

intermingling of the above mentioned lines to achieve their

successes. They are gradually developing their own lines and are

truly making WATUSI HISTORY.

ARTICLES

THE SAGA OF THE WATUSI

CATTLE
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APRIL 2, 1987ADMINISTRATOR

Editors note: The following article is the tale of shipping the first

Watusi cattle ever exported off of the African continent. This

account has been narrated on tape by Walter Schulz, the father ofJurgen Schulz, one the directors of the WWA and former

president of the organization. This tape was recorded in 1987

when Walter was 85 years of age and was transcribed by

Maureen Neidhardt. The story as told from memory by Walter

Schulz. Reprinted with permission from Watusi World, Spring

1987.

As far as the records show the 42 head, 14 bulls and 28 cows,

shipped by the Schulz family in 1929 and 1930 together with 6

animals exported in 1939 form the genealogical ancestors of all of

the Foundation Pure Watusi cattle in Europe, England, Sweden,

Australia, Canada, the U.S. and anywhere else that they exist

outside of Africa.

Yes, here we are again the saga of the Watusi Cattle. Seventy-five

years ago, Christoph Schulz (my father and Jurgens [WWA

director] grandfather) heard about the Watusi cattle in Dar es

Salaam the capital of that time German East Africa from a

government official who had just returned from the colonys most

northwestern provinces, Rwanda and Urundi. In those days it tookthe British protectorate. In the early 1920s my father resumed his

work as a naturalist and game collector in Tanganyika, formerly

German East Africa, and I, 18 years old, assisted him in the

capture of wild animals for the zoos the world over. I am trying to
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give the Watusi lovers a condensed report, how, why we

undertook to collect Watusis in their native country, motor

transport, rail and ship them in two consignments, 1929 and 1930

from Mombasa to Hamburg, Germany. Each consignment I

personally cared for during the voyage.

In 1925, my father, I accompanying him, went to east Africa and

resumed his work as a wildlife collector and captor of animals of

zoological interest. Lets name it right! A wildlife captor in East

Africa. We started to rebuild the big game ranch which was lost inthe First World War situated near Arusha. The only governors

license to capture big game like rhino, elephant, giraffe, all the

antelope, gazelles, zebra, etc. was granted to us by the governor

of the mandated territory of Tanganyika.

Each year in March and April large consignments of African

founders left Tanga or Mombasa on board a vessel of the Holland

African line arriving in May at Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hamburg.

Due to the First World War and its aftermath, European zoos were

in a bad shape exhibition and financial wise. To overcome the

difficulties we offered to exhibit our animals in a special Africa

show within the zoo. The takings to be equally divided 50/50. The

fifty percent of the zoos share was for animal purchase. Giraffe,

zebra, antelope, ostriches, even a greater band of baboons were

the attractions.

To exhibit something never seen before in the zoo, my father had


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the idea to collect a number of Watusi cattle. One day in

September 1927 we loaded our safari car, a one ton model T

Ford, with supplies, petrol and made us on our way north to

Nairobi and further on to Kampala. There were no roads those

days, there were only tracks leading through the untouched

African wild veldt with all the wild animals roaming about. We met

herds of elephants, once a rhino galloped alongside us on our

track and we only were able to travel at daytime because at night

one could lose the track and get lost in the veldt. We cam to

Kampala and leaned that here were no motor roads, tracks orwhatsoever there. They had found their way there well past 50 or

100 years ago and they were fine herds of Watusi cattle.

We made the acquaintance with a young veterinary officer

(government vet officer) and a German butcher who directed the

municipal abattoirs. Both were willing to help us. To assist us, the

vet offered his quarantine station to keep the animals there before

export and to look veterinary like through them. Of course, we

wanted the Watusi to be middle aged with good horns, perfect

animals, breeding stock. So the butcher selected, out of

hundreds, those he thought fit and they were turned over to the

quarantine station. The vet tested them and he found that a high

percentage had tuberculosis so they were returned to the

slaughter house.

It took almost two years until we had 21 head of cattle, 7 bulls and

14 cows perfect, and healthy in the quarantine station. Why 21?


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Only 21 would go on the port side aft deck of the Dutch cargo

boat we were loading. We intended to load them at Mombasa.

It took a lot of organization to get these cattle shipped. They had

to have stalls so the stalls were ordered in South Africa in the port

of Durban and built there and erected during the voyage up to

Mombasa by the carpenter and the boatmen of the ship.

Since on the tropical coast of Africa there are no cattle, one

cannot buy cattle food. Alfalfa, teff and concentrates are unknownas are cattle so all of the food had to be put on board in Durban.

The Watusi arrived in time in the port of Kilendene, the port of the

town of Mombasa. It was quite a sensation to get them out of the

trucks and to lead them on the ship. We had to build a special

gangway for them. It took many bumps on the heads of the

personnel loading them and to myself and even feeding them on

the ship I had to endure many bumps by their big heads horns

on my head.

White the Watusi were housed on the port side of the aft deck the

starboard side was occupied by cases and crates, giraffe,

antelope, zebras, ostrich, baboons, monkeys and other animals

for the zoos. We had a fine voyage and we came to Antwerp to

Rotterdam and at last to Hamburg. Everywhere it was a

sensation. The dockers and the people working on the ship with

the cargo coming home, telling their people of cows with horns X


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feet long. It was unbelievable and I suppose there was a lot of

dispute and a few were called liars!!

Arriving at Hamburg with our consignments we were

congratulated by the state vet who had seen previous shipments

of wild animals of ours and he congratulated us for this fine

shipment but he said I cannot allow the cattle to land. We have

a law and all of the other German states have a law that NO

African cattle may be imported under NO circumstances. So we

were still aboard. The ship was going to leave for its home port ofAmsterdam and we were really in trouble, what to do with the

cattle?

Our agent ashore phoned all of the various state veterinarys in

Bavaria, Rhineland, and everywhere. NO the import of African

cattle was absolutely prohibited. But the free state of Sexonia had

no such laws and here that saved us. The Zoo in Leipzig offered

to house the Watusi and the condition was they had to stay 15

days in quarantine within the zoo in Leipzig. Oh, now we off

loaded the cattle into cattle trucks and off they went to Leipzig

with a lot of our other animals for exhibition in that zoo.

Editors Comments: By Maureen Neidhardt

To help get a better understanding of the trips by sea that were

made with the cargo of Watusi cattle and other animals, pull a

map and you will find the port city of Mombasa along the eastern


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coast of Africa, country of Kenya. They traveled the Indian Ocean

north into the Gulf of Aden, northwesterly up the Red Sea through

the Suez Canal, then traveled the Mediterranean Sea west,

through the Strait of Gibraltar and finally north, through the

English Channel to Hamburg, Germany, a tremendous distance.

The actual distribution of cattle beyond the Leipzig Zoo where the

Walter Schulz narration ends is not certain. It is known that many

European Zoos have acquired Watusi cattle as have certain

places in England and Sweden. The second World Warintervened and it is a wonder that nay number of these cattle were

survivors.

They arrived finally in the U.S. in the 1960s; the exact date is

documented in the records of the Catskill Game Farm, Catskill,

NY.

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