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African antelope species
Some of the African buck species found in the KAZA Park conservancy

photo © Fay Pearse
Pawprint 
Front hoof 100mm |
Eland
The largest of the antelope, eland can weigh up to
680 kg and stand 178 cm at the shoulder.
Eland are graceful animals, with a large pendulous dewlap and
pale fawn colour.
Despite its massive size, eland are excellent jumpers and can
easily clear two meters.
Both sexes have horns which curve in a short outward an upward
twist. These horns are used to knock down foliage and although
mainly browsers they do occasionally eat grass.
Eland can be found in semi desert, miombo woodlands, grasslands,
and acacia savannah.
Eland have a distinctive clicking noisewhen they
move which is believed to be caused by the 2 halves of each hoof
striking together. |

photo © Fay Pearse |
Red Hartebeest
High shouldered and a somewhat awkward looking antelope with a long
pointed head.
Hartebeest are one of the fastest and enduring antelopes.
Males can weigh up to 150 kg and the female at 120 kg.
Both sexes have horns.
They eat mainly grasses but will also browse.
Herd strength can vary from groups of 20 to several hundred.
Adult bulls are territorial with the territorial bull and his
harem
occupying the best grazing.
In flight exhbiits a "rocking horse" motion which is
further exaggerated by its long face. |

photo © Fay Pearse
Pawprint

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Kudu
A large handsome antelope with long twisting spiralled horns displayed
by the males.
They are predominantly browsers but will eat grass under exceptional
circumstances.
The main rutting period is mid winter with most births occuring
during the
summer months when a single calf is born after a gestation period
of
approx. 210 days.
They live in small family groups generally not more than 12 consisting
of females and calves.
Males join the groups only for mating purposes.
Kudu are mainly diurnal being most active in the mornings and
late afternoons.
They run with their heads level to the ground with the horns laid
back to avoid being entangled in branches.
Kudu have acute hearing and are able to turn their large rounded
ears in almost any direction.
Kudu are ruminants and have a specially adapted stomach divided
into 4 sections.
Kudu will issue a harsh bark as a warning cry at the threat of
predators such as leopard, cheetah or lion.
Front 85mm |
photo © Fay Pearse
Pawprint
Front
57mm
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Nyala
A medium-sized antelope, with 3 to 14 vertical white stripes
on its sides.
The ram carries a fringe of long hair (dewlap) which hangs from
its underparts.
Only the male has horns which are slightly spiralled curving outward
after the first turn and with a white tip.
The female is yellow brown in colour to a chestnut - also with
distinctive vertical stripes on its sides.
Nyala inhabits dense bush, riverside thickets and the fringes
of forests with their natural diet comprising leaves, fruit, herbs,
legumes, and fresh grass.
Nyala rams are not territorial and can often be seen in small
groups with ewes and lambs. |
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