The River's Guardian Near Africa's rivers, lakes, and streams, Where water flows and sunlight gleams, The waterbuck stands proud and tall, Most water-loving of them all. With shaggy coat of brown and grey, They graze beside the banks all day. Two species roam the continent wide— The common waterbuck's white-ringed pride. A white ring upon their rear, Makes identification very clear. Defassa waterbuck instead Wears white patches widely spread. The males wear horns that curve and sweep, Like lyres ancient shepherds keep. Two feet of ridged and pointed bone, That mark the territories they own. While females, hornless, lead their young To waters where their songs are sung. When lions prowl or leopards creep, Into the water, dark and deep. These antelopes will quickly dive, Their swimming keeps them all alive. Strong swimmers of the antelope clan, They've mastered water's ancient plan. Their coat secretes a musky scent, That keeps the biting flies content. But makes their meat taste rather strong, So predators don't hunt for long. Nature's clever defense complete, Makes waterbuck less favored meat.