Top prices at Kwandwe auction

Big horns were one of the factors attracting high prices at the Signature Wildlife Legends auction held at Kwandwe reserve recently, where high-end genetics was the main focus.

Breeders who put up animals for auction were Woody Cape, Buffalo Kloof, Kwandwe Signature Wildlife, Murray Ranches and Bedford Wildlife Co.

The top price, R6.4 million, was for a buffalo cow - partly on the basis she was to be covered by top bull Sidima. The record price of R2m for a rhi- no was also achieved.

In an extraordinary act of philanthropy, one bidder bought a fallow deer that is actually on a farm in the US. He paid R800 000 for it, handed over the cash, and then said the deer could be re-auctioned on behalf of the Ubunye Foundation.

• Listen to Steven Lang interviewing auctioneer Brandon Leer… and hear Leer go from zero to R6.4 million for a buffalo cow, in three minutes and 24 seconds. Go to bit.ly/GrocWildlifeSale