Tsessebe – setting the land speed record for antelope
These ungainly but swift antelope are very curious animals.
AS ungainly as they appear, the tsessebe is, surprisingly, the fastest of all southern African antelope and can quickly cover large distances with their strange, bouncy gallop.
Here are some facts about these fascinating but endangered antelope:
* The tsessebe is one of the mammal species protected under Mokala National Park’s Rare Species Project.
* These antelope are closely related to the topi and bontebok,
* Quite large, they weigh about 140kg and are up to 230cm in height.
* They are very curious animals and will stand and stare at something that interests them.
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* The can be found in grasslands, open plains and flood plains.
*You are unlikely to see them outside game reserves. Their distribution is Mpumalanga, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and northwards.
*They are exclusively grazers.
*Although they can go without water for long periods, they drink regularly when water is available.
* Females form herds of six to 10 with their young. Their gestation period is 235 days.
* Territorial behaviour includes moving in erect posture, high-stepping, ground horning, shoulder wiping, grunting and mudpacking.
Sources: The Wessa-KZN Field guide to the Antelope of Southern Africa and the official Mokala National Park information guide.
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