Giant sable antelope

Stuffed specimen of the Giant Sable Antelope in the American Museum of Natural History.

The Giant Sable Antelope ( Hippotragus niger ( ssp ) variani ) is a very rare subspecies of Sable Antelope that strikes mainly thanks to its large horns.

Features

The Giant Sable Antelope is different based on their body measurements not niger of the nominate Hippotragus niger Its length amounts to 216-260 cm and weight up to 220 kg ( females ) and 260 kg ( males ). The only distinguishing feature is the lack of the white cheeks strip and about 30 cm long, backward curved horns. The coloring of the coat ranges from light brown to almost black, with the abdomen underside is completely and face partially white.

Dissemination

The species is only found in the miombo woodlands in Angola, lived there but only a small section.

Way of life

The males live outside of the mating season as a loner, whereas the females join together in small groups 5-25 animals. The animals feed mainly on grass, besides also plant seeds, leaves, succulents, tubers and melons are not scorned. The females use their horns to the expulsion of foreign counterparts, the male also for prioritizing among each other during the mating season. The males are site- faithful and defend large areas with water sources and food sources to other conspecifics. The females can only be held by a buck ( male animal ) when its area offers plenty of food sources and water points for his females and their offspring.

Reproduction

After a gestation period of 270 days, the females give birth to a cub world, which is nursed for 6 months. From the age of 3 months, the young can additionally accept already solid plant food.

Endangering

The Giant Sable Antelope, was last seen in 1982 and was already considered extinct. 2004, they have British and Portuguese scientists rediscovered by was confirmed on the basis of their existence in the wild collected fecal samples and thus carried out genetic analyzes at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research in Berlin. Since then, the giant sable antelope is again considered threatened by IUCN extinction ( Critically Endangered, CR ) out. The stock in Angola is estimated to be only 200 to 400 copies and the population size continues to decline. In addition to the small number of animals is the occurrence of hybridization with the Roan Antelope ( Hippotragus equinus ) is an additional risk dar. In Washington Convention is Hippotragus niger variani in Annex I ( total trade ban ) out. The hunt for her up to 1.65 m long horns is a major reason for their endangerment. Meanwhile, could be made by a camera trap also live shots of the animals.