The gigantic bulbous horns are an unmistakable trait of the Kuri.
These cattle are native to the shores of Lake Chad where Cameroon,
Chad, Niger and Nigeria join.
The Kuri are believe to be descended from
the Hamitic Longhorn cattle and have been herded by the Buduma and
Kuri peoples for centuries.
The tribesmen were strict in their selection
of animals for their horns, many of which grow in a lyre or crescent
shape. The horns sometimes reach 130 cm in length and 55 cm
in diameter. Most remarkable is the unique pear shape of the
horns.
These animals are kept as dairy cattle in
herds of approximately 30 females with one bull. The animals
spend several hours each day in the water swimming in search of
water plants for food.
It is thought that the horns act as floats.
The cattle are acclimated to water to such a degree that they survive
with difficulty away from their indigenous area.
They are easily affected by the sun if unable
to bathe. Because of this, the Kuri are largely unsuitable
as working animals.
The bulls, which are docile and friendly
in temperament, are occasionally used as pack animals but they are
slow and tire easily. The females yield 4 liters of milk a
day after nursing their calves.
The Kuri are tall for an African breed, with
a long back, shallow body and a large, bony rump. The legs
are strong, long and bony with large, widely cleft hooves.
Kuri are usually white in color. The
females are 135 to 145 cm in height and average 400 kg in weight.
The bulls range from 152 to 180 cm and average 475 kg of weight.
Some males will reach 600 kg.
