I spy on the savannah

Here’s a quick guide to Werribee Open Range Zoo’s antelope population you can see next time on the Safari Bus.

1 Eland

The world’s largest antelope has tightly spiralled horns that they use to pull or break off branches to access food that would otherwise be out of reach, or to forage in the dirt for bulbs and roots. Eland (Lower Savannah) prefer a tight social grouping; however, zebra foals are sometimes known to lay within the Eland herd.

2 Blackbuck

Small and quick, with a brown and white coat, they’re highly active during the day and maintain a tight group. Also known as the Indian Antelope, Blackbuck (Upper Savannah) are native to India and Nepal and can be excitable, at times breaking into running or pronking. The males have spiralled horns and an almost-black coat.

3 Nyala

Distinguished by white stripes and spots on the flanks of their brown fur, and a chevron between their eyes. Only males grow horns, and usually sport a shaggy coat that’s darker than the females’. A long, bushy tail stands straight up in the air when they run. Often found within the tree lines or grouped in shady spots when it’s hot.

4 Scimitar-horned Oryx

With striking curved horns worn by both males and females, the Oryx (Lower Savannah) is a highly distinctive species. Their horns are partly a fighting implement, but also can be used to help them dig the ground for a cool patch to lie in. This excitable and spontaneous species is especially active in the afternoon.

5 Waterbuck

A larger antelope, with a thick, shaggy coat. Waterbuck (Lower Savannah) are easily distinguished by the white ring around their backside, with males sporting spiral horns that can grow up to a metre long. Waterbuck also have glands that waterproof their skin and coat, which release a distinctive musky odour. Often hiding, they’re easier to spot in the late afternoon.

Star power

The magnificent Scimitar-horned Oryx is a star of the Savannah, with its distinctive horns. Sadly, this species was once highly sought-after by trophy hunters – a key reason why the Oryx has been declared Extinct in the Wild since 2000. However, the Sahara Conservation Fund is working to reinstate a viable population of Oryx in its sub-desert home range of Chad, in north-central Africa. The Werribee Zoo herd, along with herds held in other Australasian zoos, are considered an ‘insurance population’, contributing to the global effort to re-establish the species.

“I’ve been the Species Coordinator for Scimitar-horned Oryx for over 10 years, and they are my favourite,” says Denny. “They are incredibly impressive animals. The conservation work happening with the reintroduction of the species into the wild is an amazing success story.”

Visit saharaconservation.org to learn more. ZN

GO ANTELOPE SPOTTING

Hop aboard Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Safari Bus to see all the amazing antelope species for yourself.

Click here