Consider The Antelope

CONSIDER THEAntelopeBy: Kathy G Mills Photos: Kathy G Mills / Edward Selfe

AZambian safari is an unforgettable experience—one that allows viewers to immerse themselves in the unspoilt beauty of the African bush and witness wildlife in its purest, most natural form. Some safaris provide excitement at every turn: a leopard dragging a fresh kill to the top of a sprawling sausage tree; an aggressive hippo asserting dominance by displaying its deadly incisors and canine tusks; a galloping herd of buffalo advancing amidst a storm of dust clouds. Quiet moments on safari can be mesmerising as well—a baby elephant ambling alongside its mother, or a majestic giraffe moving loftilyfrom tree to tree as it browses. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees on safari, and many people are disappointed to find that they won’t be documenting sightings of the “Big Five” during their journey. For that reason, it is a good idea to become acquainted with other forms of wildlife native to the area so that the success of your trip is not dependent on a few elusive species. There are a number of antelope varieties, for example, that can usually be spotted during an afternoon drive. Learn how to identify them, and you’ll ensure that every safari you take will be engaging and rewarding—even if the big cats are nowhere to be found.

Puku

Medium-sized golden or orange-brown antelope standing around 80 cm and weighing 70 to 80 kg. Horns are heavily ringed but the tips are smooth. Puku live in herds of six to 30.

Waterbuck

Often found near water sources, waterbuck stand 120 cm on average, and weigh around 200 kg. Coats are long and shaggy, ranging from brown to grey. The common waterbuck isknown for a white ring around the rump, while the defassawaterbuck has wide white patches around the rear end. Both species are found in Zambia. Waterbuck exude an unpleasant odour that is thought to deter predators. Males have ringed horns that grow up to 40 inches.

Standing around160 cm tall and weighing up to 940 kg, the massive eland is easy to identify. Coats vary from light brown to tawny. Males are known for a “dewlap,” or a loose section of skin hanging from the neck. Both sexes have thick, spiral horns and thin white stripes around the midsection and hindquarters. The subspecies occurring in Zambia is the Livingstone’s eland, with up to twelve stripes on its body.

Lechwe

Most stand 90 to 100 cm and weigh 70 to 120 kg. Often spotted leaping through marshy wetlands, they are known for their elongated hind quarters. Tan coats are covered in a water-repellant substance that helps them manoeuvre easily through the water. Males have spiral-shaped horns.

Bushbuck

A medium-sized antelope standing 80 to 90 cm and weighing 45 to 80 kg. Coats range from red-brown to deeper browns, and have white stripes and splotches. They are forest-dwellers and somewhat solitary. Known for having an odd gait that makes them clumsy runners,they are, however,excellent swimmers. Males can be aggressive. When wounded, they will attack, and they also put up a valiant struggle against predators.

Impala

A medium-sized antelope standing around 85 cm with a tan or brown coat, a white underbelly, and dark stripes on the hindquarters and tail. Graceful runners, they can easily jump up to three metres in height and leap forward for distances of ten metres. Males have lyre-shaped horns used to fight off rivals.

Kudu

Large and greyish with 6 to 10 narrow white stripes on the body. Greater Kudu males stand up to 160 cm tall and weigh 190-270 kg. Males sport impressive twisted horns and fringed beards. Females are half the size of the males, hornless, without beards.