WATUSI FOR BEGINNERS

AND FROM THE BEGINNING

MAY 17, 2012 ADMINISTRATOR

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

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.
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

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
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
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
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
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

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.)

WATUSI FOR BEGINNERS

AND FROM THE BEGINNING
MAY 17, 2012 ADMINISTRATOR

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
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.

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
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

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

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

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

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
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

A SHORT HISTORY OF
WATUSI CATTLE
MAY 17, 2012 ADMINISTRATOR

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,

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 the
ones 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

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 extremely
long, 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

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 of
animals. 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

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 years
they 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.

Watusi cattle first made their appearance in the United States in

1960 when 2 bulls, which were born in Scandinavia, were
imported. It took another three years before the first female was
brought in to keep them company. From these recent and meager
beginnings an arduous breeding program was developed. To aid
in the development of the breed whose numbers were so severely
limited and to add hi-bred vigor to such a small genetic pool,
an up-breeding program was developed. Under this program,
Foundation Pure bulls (those of 100% Watusi bloodlines) were
bred to females of other breeds. The female offspring of this first
mating were registered as 1/2 blood and bred back to Foundation
Pure bulls. The offspring of this second generation were
registered as 3/4 blood. The females of this 3/4 generation were
bred back to Foundation Pure bulls again to produce 7/8 %.
Females of 7/8% and above are now registered as Native Pure,
males must reach 15/16% prior to being designated as Native
Pure. Any Native Pure female bred to a Foundation Pure bull will
produce a Native Pure offspring. Native Pure bulls can be bred to
percentage females and their offspring registered. Foundation
Pure animals are only the result of breeding Foundation Pure to
Foundation Pure.
Today, thanks to the efforts of dedicated private breeders and
zoos who have worked over the years to help reserve these
magnificent animals, breeding stock is now available to the public.
The World Watusi Association was formed as a non-profit
corporation designed to collect, record and preserve the

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

HORNS
MAY 17, 2012 CINDI 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

animal increases when they are compared with other Watusi, not
with other breeds. To be exceptional when compared to others in
your own breed requires a genetic quality that must be nurtured
and carefully planned. With this in mind the upbreeding program
was launched.
Individual Watusi breeders, in search of the ever-elusive better
horn have tried various feeds, combinations of bloodlines and
combinations of breeds. The results so far have been quite
impressive. Overall we have developed a fine group of animals
with good horn base and length. Some individual members of this
crossbreeding program are now sporting what should be
described as exceptional horn. There are percentage animals that
will rival some of the best foundation pure and outshine many of
the average foundation pure. Needless to say, heredity does play
an important part here. With few exceptions the better the horned
ancestors, the better the horned offspring.
It appears in most of our herds and experience that the bulls
themselves sport the widest horn base, probably an evolutionary
development for growth of the horn in the battles with others of
their species over the cows and breeding rights. The cows as a
general rule grow the most length, again probably an evolutionary
development used to protect the young from predators. We
enthusiasts want is all, large base and long length in both bulls
and cows.

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 am
continually 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 30inch 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!

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 African
Sam, 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

SELECTION OF A HERDSIRE
MAY 17, 2012 ADMINISTRATOR

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. In
this 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, the
weaknesses of the cow herd should be your first consideration.
REVIEW GOALS:

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 few
head 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

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

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

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 an
important 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.

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 serious
of all decisions in the cattle business.
WATUSI WORLD

ARTICLES

THE CATTLE OF KINGS

SURFACE IN AMERICA
MAY 17, 2012 ADMINISTRATOR

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 these
key questions.
The cattle industry is a huge industry in our country. There are
many divisions to this industry and many varied needs to which

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

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 measure
five 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.

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 do
this 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.

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 shows
long-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

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.

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 giant
horned 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 seminomadic. 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

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

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 would
be 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

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 of
European breeds.
ARTICLES

FIRST WATUSI IN THE USA

MAY 12, 2012 ADMINISTRATOR

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 in
Scandinavia 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

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 as
more 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

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 PATTERN
MARCH 23, 2012 DAROL 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 the
side 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

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

WATUSSIRENDER IN
HALLABRUNN
APRIL 2, 1992 ADMINISTRATOR

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 Walter
Schulz 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 with
permission 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 Lake
Victoria 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.

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 about
the 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

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 animals
to breed these zoological treasures for themselves.
GERMANYMARLEEN FELIUS

ARTICLES

WATUSI BLOODLINES
APRIL 1, 1992 ADMINISTRATOR

This 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

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 United
States (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).

#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 they
are 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.

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

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

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 rewarding
example 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

APRIL 2, 1987 ADMINISTRATOR

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 of
Jurgen 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 took
the 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

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 in
the 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

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 or
whatsoever 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?

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 unknown
as 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

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 of
Amsterdam 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

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 War
intervened 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.