SIDE-NOTE:

 Setswana 'or Tswana', is the most widely spoken native language of Botswana.

 Zulu is a widely spoken native language in South Africa and Lesotho.Within South Africa,it is known as isiZulu.

Swahili is a widely spoken native language in the East African countries of Kenya & Tanzania,and given that Kenya & Tanzania are just as big a draw for Safari vacations as Southern Africa,i thought that at least some of us would like to know the Swahili terms for animals.

The Scientific names of animals are generally Greek or Latin in origin.I just use the abbreviation Sc = scientific.

           +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

                                 FOLLOWING MAMMALS TO BE EDITED

BUSHBUCK

       SC: Tragelaphus Scriptus

       AFRIKAANS: Bosbok

      SETSWANA: Serolobotlhoko

      isiZULU: Inkonka [male-Ram] Imbabala [female-Ewe]

     SWAHILI: Pongo [male] Paa [female]

 STATUS:

              Least Concern

 THREATS / CONSERVATION:

Hunting and loss of habitat is the largest threat to the bushbuck,but by in large,they are protected within Game Reserves.

CONTINENTAL RANGE: Incl SOUTHERN AFRICAN RANGE:

                                       ::FACTSHEET::

HABITAT:

The shy and elusive bushbuck is widely distributed over sub-Saharan Africa. In East Africa it is found in a variety of habitats, though rarely on open land. Bushbucks have a lot of individual and regional differences in their coat colours and patterns. In general, Bushbuck inhabiting deep forest have darker coats. They will live anywhere from sea level to mountaintops, from rainforests to subdesert terrain.

Bushbuck may also be found close to suburban areas providing there is enough bush cover,and where they tend to be more active at night to avoid humans.

APPEARANCE:

The very sharp horns render the Bushbuck very dangerous when wounded. A close relative of the Kudu and the Nyala. The rams are very elegant in appearance, sporting dark greyish-brown fur, with white spots on the flanks and prominent white socks. In height they are 700mm at the shoulders, and have a maximum mass of 54 Kg's.

Ewes are smaller and adult ewes are lighter in colour than rams, with more pronounced white spots and stripes. Both males and females have geometrically shaped white patches or spots on the most mobile parts of their body, namely the ears, chin, tail, legs and neck, as well as a band of white at the base of the neck. On males these markings become more visible during their displays when they arch their backs and slowly circle one another, walking in a tense, high-stepping gait. These highly ritualized displays usually make fighting unnecessary. Alongside this, a rigid age-based hierarchy among keeps males in check.

MALE:

FEMALE: Lighter in colour to MALE,and lack horns.

DIET:

Bushbuck are mainly browsers, but on rare occasions will consume grass. They are selective feeders, but during hardship are able to adapt their feeding habits for the sake of survival.

BEHAVIOUR:

Usually most active during early morning and part of the night, Bushbucks become almost entirely nocturnal in areas where they are apt to be disturbed frequently during the day. When alarmed, individuals react in a variety of ways. Sometimes they will sink to the ground and lie flat, or they may bound away, making a series of hoarse barks.

When surprised in the open, they sometimes stand still or slowly walk to the nearest cover. The Bushbuck is primarily nocturnal, but it is also fairly active during the day. Half of a Bushbuck's day is spent standing and grazing. Around dusk bushbucks move toward their night range where they feed before moving off at dawn.

The Bushbuck is also the only non-territorial and solitary African antelope with neither males nor females defending any part of their home range. Though Bushbuck have small home ranges,sometimes not more than a few hundred square metres across, which may overlap with those of other bushbuck, they are solitary animals with even females prefering to keep social interactions with their young to not more than a few hours a day. Mature males usually go out of their way to avoid contact with each other.

BREEDING:

With a gestation period of 6 to 7 months some females are able to reproduce twice a year. The birth peak is generally during the rainy season in dry regions, but in high-rainfall areas there are not really any peaks. After giving birth, the mother cleans the newborn calf and eats the placenta.

The young calf does not accompany its mother for long periods during the day until it is about 4 months old and so it must leave the calf well hidden. When she visits and suckles it, she even eats its dung to remove any scent that remains which may attract predators. Ewes reach sexual maturity at 14 months. Even though rams reach sexual maturity at 11 months they generally do not mate until socially adept at the age of three years.

Both sexes reach puberty at 11 months.

PREDATORS: HUMANS

Adults: Lion,Leopard,Hyena,Croc.

Calves / Fawns: Most large predators.

BUSHBUCK TRACKS: Pretty much indistinguishable from other large antelope,really!

BUSHBUCK BYTES:

 Observed at:

Pete's Pond : No video clip available

Female:

Djuma : SELECTION

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Bushbuck+Djuma

Image acredited to Elaine on the Djuma Forum.

WATERBUCK

        SC: Kobus ellipsiprymnus

        AFRIKAANS: Waterbok

       SETSWANA: Pitlhwa

       isiZULU: Iphiva

       SWAHILI:  Kuro

   STATUS:

                  Conservation Dependant

 THREATS / CONSERVATION:

 Habitat loss and fragmentation pose are among the biggest threats to East Africa’s   wildlife populations, including that of the waterbuck.

 CONTINENTAL RANGE:

 SOUTHERN AFRICAN RANGE:

                                        ::FACTSHEET::

 HABITAT:

Inhabits well watered areas, with a strong predilection for dense woody vegetation and good quality medium to tall grasses. The Waterbuck will on occasion venture into open woodlands and floodplains. It is not exclusively confined to wet areas as its name suggests.

APPEARANCE:

This is a large, robust antelope. Bulls have a shoulder height of 1.4 metres and can weigh up to 260 Kg. Cows are smaller than bulls. Waterbucks have a brownish–grey shaggy coat. The eyes and nose are patched with white, and there is a white collar under the throat. The rump has a characteristic white ring. The large rounded ears are a prominent feature. Only the bulls have long, forward curved horns. Both sexes emit a, not unpleasant, musky smell which normally lingers at resting sites.

On the sub-species,Defassa Waterbuck,the white rump ring is said to be much broader.

FEMALE & CALF / FAWN:

MALE:

DIET:

The Waterbuck grazes mainly grass near permanent water sources. They will browse when grass cover is in a poor condition. The Waterbuck is very dependent on water and will drink daily. Waterbuck eat grasses, reeds and wildfruits, and in the dry season will browse on acacia.They are roughage feeders, and are well-adapted to digest fibre.

BEHAVIOUR:

As it name would suggest, the waterbuck is a good swimmer and flees into water if pursued, although it is reported that they do not actually like going into water.  At 7-9 months, males are driven from their maternal family and join up with a bachelor herd.  These groups have a distinct social hierarchy based on size and strength, and contests are frequent.  Around 6-7 years, males become territorial, staking out areas of 150-625 acres and defending them against mature rivals with posturing and fights.  These territories are maintained throughout the year, and a male is generally overthrown before he reaches 10 years of age.  Only about 5-10 % of mature males are territorial at the same time.  Female groups wander over a home range of 200-600 hectares, which may be kept for up to 8 years and encompasses several male territories.  Population densities in Uganda vary from 0.15-17.8 animals per square kilometer.They can be found in herds of up to 30 strong.

 Like some other antelopes, the male does not mark his territory with dung or urine, as his presence and smell are apparently sufficient. He tries to retain females that wander into his area, but is seldom successful for long, since the females have large home ranges and, in herds of five to 25, are constantly crossing in and out of males territories. Waterbucks do not migrate or move great distances, so territories are usually held year round.

BREEDING:

Mating activities peak during winter, but it can occur at lower intensity the year round. After a gestation period of nine months, single calves are born, occasionally twins.

Most births occur during the wetter seasons (August and November) After birth, the young lie concealed and away from their mothers for at least 2 weeks.  After joining the herd, the young follow their mother, who raises her tail as a "follow me" signal, emphasized by the white rump ring.

Sexual matiurity is reached,in females at 12-14 months,  & males at 14-18 months.

Waterbuck can live up to 18 years.

PREDATORS: HUMANS

Adults & Calves:Lion,Leopard,Hyena,Hunting Dog,Nile Crocodile

Calves:Lion,Leopard,Hyena,Hunting Dog,Nile Crocodile,Cheetah,Eagles.

NOTE: MOST LARGE ANTELOPE FOOTPRINTS ARE ROUGHLY THE SAME

WATERBUCK TRACKS:

WATERBUCK BYTES:

• The meat of older waterbuck takes on an unpleasant odor from the waterproofing secretions of its sweat glands, prompting predators to choose other prey.
• If the defessa and common waterbucks have bordering ranges they often interbreed; as a result, some scientists consider the two groups as a single species.

Observed at:

Pete's Pond : SELECTION:

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Pete%27s+Pond+waterbuck

Nkorho :  SELECTION:

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Nkorho+waterbuck

Djuma : SELECTION:

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=WildEarth+waterbuck

Image acredited to snghere at Djuma Forum.

  NYALA

                SC: Tragelaphus Angasii

                AFRIKAANS: Njala

                SETSWANA [TSWANA]: Njala ?

                isiZULU: iNaxala

               SWAHILI: Nyala

STATUS:  

                    Conservation Dependant

THREATS / CONSERVATION:

Nyala currently have a more limited distribution than they have had in the past. Recently in some areas their habitat has actually been improved through human activities, such as shifting agricultural techniques resulting in abandonment of fields and subsequent bush encroachment, and overgrazing of grasslands by cattle, which results in invasion by many herbs that nyala eat.

CONTINENTAL RANGE [Incl SOUTHERN AFRICAN RANGE]:

    FACTSHEET:

HABITAT:

This rather large antelope inhabits dense woodlands and thickets along permanent water. It is very secretive and more easily seen at night. Nyala is non-territorial, but both sexes have overlapping home ranges. The home ranges of ewes are twice the size than that of rams.

 APPEARANCE:

Nyala are one of the most sexually dimorphic [different colour/patterns] of all Antelope.

The handsome slate-brown shaggy coat is marked with white vertical stripes and spots on the flanks. Rams appear more charcoal-grey in colour. The rams have long inward curved horns (650 mm) and a white chevroned face. They have a ridge of long hairs along the underparts, from behind the chin to between the hind legs, they also have a mane of thick, black hair from the head along the spine to the rump,and the male's legs shade to rust toward the feet

Rams weigh 115 Kg and measures 1.05 m at shoulders. Ewes are much smaller and do not have horns, and weigh 59 Kg and stand 900mm at shoulders. Ewes are chestnut-coated with even more prominent white stripes on the flanks.

Both male, female and calves are marked with vertical white stripes along the ribs and flank.

The white under-tail serves as a warning flag to other herd members as they bark and bound for cover on sighting a predator. Nyala bulls can be distinguished from Kudu bulls by the fact that their fur is darker,and they have prominent yellowish 'baseball' socks,the prominent shaggy hair on the underbelly,back & throat,and Kudu bulls horns tend to be more spiralled than Nyala bulls.

MALE:

FEMALE: [Juvenile Males are similar in appearance]

DIET:

This antelope feeds by both grazing and browsing and will readily feed on leaves, fruit and flowers. This variety in their diet is one of the factors ensuring their successful survival.

BEHAVIOUR:

An interesting fact is that the juvenile males look like females. It is thought that this camouflages the young males and protects them from the jealous eyes of the dominant bulls. The young males are therefore allowed to grow up peacefully under the protection of the herd.

Although usually silent, they sometimes communicate with some very distinctive sounds: females, for instance, utter a throaty clicking sound when tending their calves; a ram, acting sentry, will let out a resonant, warning bark when danger threatens, sending the rest of the herd fleeing for safety; a calf, separated from its mother, will bleat pitifully.

    Dominance/Threat Displays::

one of the nyala's dominance/threat displays,include "lateral presentation, stiff-legged approach and ground- and object-horning".

 'Object horning"

During this display, the nyala's hair fringe and dorsal crest can increase its apparent surface area by up to 40%.

The displays vary in intensity and at highest intensity,movement stops except to maintain the broadside orientation, and the tail is draped over the bull's rump, fully fluffed, so that the maximum area of white is displayed towards the opponent. Males that perform this all-out display always win.

  "Lateral displays"

BREEDING:

They breed throughout the year, but mating peaks in autumn and spring. Single calves are born after a gestation period of 220 days. Twins are not uncommon. Ewes first conceive between 14 to 18 months. Average interval between births is 297 days. Mating opportunities for rams are decided through dominance behaviour.

Female groups will be followed by a variety of males until the breeding season arrives. Then, only the dominant bull of the area will stay with the group.

PREDATORS:

Adults: Lion,Leopard,Hyena,Crocodile,HUMANS

Fawns/Calves: Lion,Leopard,Cheetah,Hyena,Crocodile.

Nyala Tracks:

Observed at:

Djuma:

SELECTION

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Nyala+WildEarth

Image acredited to ME.!

Nyala Bytes: See Bulls Threat displays above.

GREATER KUDU

        SCIENTIFIC: Tragelaphus Strepsiceros

        AFRIKAANS: Koedoe

       SETSWANA: Tholo

        ISIZULU: Umgangkla

        SWAHILI: Tandala Mkubwa

STATUS:

                 Conservation Dependant

 THREATS / CONSERVATION:

     Greater kudus have both benefited and suffered from interaction with humans; they are a target for hunters, possibly due to their habit of stopping to look behind them after bolting for cover, making them an easy target. Humans have also destroyed woodland cover which they use for their habitat.Kudu are also susceptable to Rinderpest. However, wells and irrigation set up by humans has also allowed the greater kudus to occupy territory which would have been too devoid of water for them previously.

CONTIINENTAL RANGE:

SOUTHERN AFRICA RANGE:

                                        ::FACTSHEET::

HABITAT:

Savanna woodland or scrub,especially close to water and rocky terrain.Kudu are not usually found in open savannah grasslands,preferring denser scrub.

APPEARANCE:

Kudu show strong sexual dimorphism in that bulls bear massive, long, spiral horns which reach record lengths of up to 1.8 m. Horns grow to their full length at the age of six years. Bulls also attain much larger sizes than cows. Bulls can weigh as much as 300 Kg with a shoulder height of 1.4m and cows weigh 210 Kg with a shoulder height of 1.25m.

Tawny-brown to grey-brown coat, marked with white stripes on flanks which vary greatly in shape, size and pattern. V-shaped band on forehead and white spots on cheeks. Manes of long hair extend from the back of the head along the back to the tail, as well as on the lower neck to the belly.

Male

Female

DIET:

As a browser this species feeds on a wide variety of tree and shrub leaves, favouring fruits, pods, forbs and creepers when available. Succulents such as Spekboom and Aloes are also eaten.

BEHAVIOUR:

Herds of over 20 usually split up into smaller groups. Young cows remain with their mothers’ unit, but young bulls form bachelor groups when they reach sexual maturity, normally at two years. Bulls join female herds during mating, but favour other habitats out of the mating season. No territorial spacing exists amongst bulls, but they do show age and hence size-graded dominance hierarchies.

Female greater kudus live in small herds of six to twenty individuals along with their calves, though males tend to be mainly solitary. Rarely will a herd reach a size of forty individuals, partly because of the selective nature of their diet which would make foraging for food difficult in large groups. A herd's area can encompass 800 to 1500 acres, and spend an average of 54% of the day foraging for food.

Fully mature males will often fight other males by interlocking their horns with the other until one of them admits defeat and gives in. In rare circumstances this can sometimes result in both males being unable to free themselves from the other's horns, usually resulting in the death of both animals. Females may sometimes ward off males by biting them, due to their lack of horns.

BREEDING:

Greater kudus reach sexual maturity between 1–2 years of age. The mating season occurs at the end of the rainy season, which can fluctuate slightly according to the region and climate. Before mating, there is a courtship ritual which consists of the male standing in front of the female and often engaging in a neck wrestle. The male then trails the female while issuing a low pitched call until the female allows him to copulate with her. Gestation takes around 240 days (or eight months). Calving generally starts between February and March, when the grass tends to be at its highest.

Greater kudus tend to bear one calf, although occasionally there may be two. To begin with, the calf will wait for the mother to feed it, but later it will become more demanding in its search for milk, and after a few months even aggressive. For the first two weeks of a calf's life they hide where predators cannot find them. For four to five weeks after that they roam with the herd only during day. Males will become self-sufficient at 6 months old. Females become self-sufficient at around 1 to 2 years old. Greater kudus may live up to 20 years of age when kept in captivity

PREDATORS:

Adults:Lion,Leopard,Spotted Hyena,Hunting Dog,HUMANS.

Fawns:Spotted Hyena,Hunting Dog,Cheetah,Caracal,Serval,Eagles,HUMANS.

KUDU BYTES:

  Kudu are able to clear a height of around 2.5 metres with a leap from a standing position:

  Kudu's have the loudest call, a harsh barking sound, of any Antelope in the world.

A Sub-species, the Lesser Kudu [SC:Tragelaphus Imberbis SW:Tandala Ndogo] is found in Eastern Africa and possibly [unconfirmed] the southern Arabian Peninsula.

Observed at:

 Pete's Pond :         Selection

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=kudu+Pete%27s+Pond

Djuma :                 Selection

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=kudu+Djuma

Nkorho :               Selection

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=kudu+Nkorho

Kudu Tracks:

Please note that if you cannot see the Status symbols and just the white box with a little red x,this maybe due to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources [IUCN] has recently altered [and mostly,sadly added] Flora & Fauna species to their Red List of Threatened Species,and could also affect other species status symbols outside of the Red List who may have slipped from Least Concern to Vulnerable.

So,Wikipedia has not been showing Status symbols on certain animals such as the African Bush Elephant and White Rhino.

This affects both my Mammals Checklist and my Birds Checklist.

COMMON ELAND

              SCIENTIFIC: Taurotragus Oryx

              AFRIKAANS: Eland

             SETSWANA: Phofu

              ISIZULU: Impofu

             SWAHILI: Mbunga

 STATUS:

                    Conservation Dependant

THREATS / CONSERVATION:

Due to the eland’s size and docility, as well as its rich milk, tasty meat and useful hide, it is becoming an increasingly popular ranch animal.Eland are also sometimes poached outside of Ranches However, its need for a vast range to find sufficient browsing and its low density in number create game management problems and this new idea may not be viable in the long term.

Eland are very susceptable to disease,especially Rinderpest.

The IUCN Antelope Specialist Group considers the Common Eland to be Lower Risk-Conservation Dependant,but even so,Eland are regulated strictly by CITES with regardfs to International trade.

CONTINENTAL RANGE:

 SOUTHERN AFRICAN RANGE

                                                 ::FACTSHEET::

HABITAT:

Preferred habitat varies from semi-deserts, grasslands, to light savannah north of the Orange river, to light woodland in KwaZulu-Natal. The Eland is a nocturnal animal and the vegetation that absorbs moisture from the atmosphere at night provides ample fluid sustenance for his large antelope that lives in areas with little surface water.

APPEARANCE:

Males can grow to a shoulder height of 1,7 metres and weigh about 900 Kg. In spite of its heavy physique, eland are remarkably agile and large bulls can easily jump over regular fences. They have a slight hump at the shoulders and prominent dewlap. The heavy horns of both sexes slant backwards and lengths of as much as one metre have been recorded.

Females are much smaller, weighing about 450 kilograms. Males have a patch of dark hair on their foreheads that covers glandular skin. Both males and females have fawn coloured coats. They also have faint vertical white stripes on their flanks, which are distinctive to the eland.

Male

Image acredited to: www.african-safari-pictures.com

Female

Image acredited to www.kenyabeasts.com

DIET:

The Eland is a browser, utilizing a wide diversity of plant species. It can exist for long periods without open water, but is then reliant on the fruits of Tsamas and Gemsbok Cucumbers to meet its water requirements.

BEHAVIOUR:

One of the interesting characteristics of an Eland herd is that it includes a nursery for the calves. When threatened by predators, the herd forms a front with the large males taking the lead positions while the calves and pregnant females are protected behind the fortress of large males. Since Eland herds migrate widely in search of good grazing, dominant bulls do not defend spatial territories. However, bulls do display territorial or possessive behaviour towards cows during oestrus.Outside of breeding,Males establish a hierarchal system but do not defend territories as such during this period..

Eland are gregarious, and, while they usually occur in small herds, they can aggregate into great herds, numbering hundreds of animals, and are known to migrate over long distances in the drier areas of the subcontinent.The Common Eland has an unusual social life. They come and go, taking advantage of herd life when they need to without forming close ties.

Eland are active both in the day and at night,but tend to become less active during the hotter periods of the day.

This huge Ox-like animal is very shy and timid,but can become quite tame in captivity.

Old bulls split from the herd and remain solitary.

BREEDING:

Although the Eland does not have a specific breeding season, in South Africa it has been noted that there are peak months when significantly more calves are born than in other months. A single calf is born to a mother after a gestation period of approximately nine months. Calves can run with the herd a few hours after birth.

A single calf is born, usually in early summer, and, within a few hours, it is able to run with its mother. Mothers and calves recognise one another's particular clicks or grunts, and a mother will suckle only her own calf, chasing other calves away by buffeting them with her horns. Calves are born at regular intervals of 9 months. After the calf is weaned (at about 4 months), the female will leave it for increasingly long periods of time in a nursery herd. Within these nursery herds the young tend to form bonds with other calves which are stronger and more lasting than the mother-calf bond. The bulls often associate together at this time.

PREDATORS:

Adults: Lion,Spotted Hyena,HUMANS.

Fawns/Calves: Lion,Spotted Hyena,Leopard,Cheetah.

COMMON ELAND BYTES:

Giant Eland are actually roughly the same size as Common Eland.

When walking,tendons or joints in the Elands forelegs,produce a sharp clicking sound,the cause of which has not been fully investigated. The sound carries some distance,and is a good indication of an approaching herd.Some scientists reckon that this clicking,could be a form of communication,especially between males with regards to territories during the breeding season.

The name 'Eland' is the Dutch word for Moose [US] [Moose in Europe are known as Elk].

OBSERVED AT:

Pete's Pond : Selection

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Eland+Pete%27s+Pond

Eland Tracks:

BLUE WILDEBEEST   [A.K.A. BRINDLED GNU]  

                 SCIENTIFIC: Connochaetes Taurinus                

                 AFRIKAANS: Blouwildebees

                SETSWANA: Kgokong

                ISIZULU: Imbuzimeshe [Wildebeest]  Eluhlaza [Blue]

               SWAHILI: Nyumbu ya montu

STATUS:

                Conservation Dependant

THREATS / CONSERVATION:

The brindled gnu is considered to be a low risk, conservation dependent species by the IUCN (1996).  Similarly, all of  C. t. albojubatus, C. t. cooksoni, C. t. johnstoni, C. t. mearnsi, and C. t. taurinus are also classified as low risk, conservation dependent subspecies

The Serengeti boasts over one million Blue Wildebeests, but Southern Africa's large herds have diminished over the last several centuries under pressure from hunting, cattle ranching and habitat intrusion stemming from overpopulation of humans. In southern Africa some efforts are being made to enhance grasslands and repair damage of cattle grazing and excessive fencing. These activities are particularly evident in the Waterberg Biosphere, where invasive brush (induced by excess cattle grazing) is being extirpated and many fences are coming down to promote wildlife migration. While the species status is considered secure as a whole, there is concern for smaller herds in the southern Africa habitats which have already become marginalized.

CONTINENTAL RANGE: INCL SOUTHERN AFRICAN RANGE

                                :FACTSHEET:

 HABITAT:

Open savanna, woodland with short grass; open grass plains. Water essential.

APPEARANCE:

The dark silver-grey body is marked with dark vertical bands on the front quarters. Blue wildebeest are characterised by a long black mane and a beard of hair hanging from the throat and neck. Both sexes grow short curved horns. In adult bulls the horns are heavily bossed. Bulls weigh 250 kg and measures 1.5 m at the shoulders. Cows are slightly smaller, measuring 1.4 m at the shoulder and with a mass of 180 kg.

Young Blue Wildebeest are born tawny brown, and begin to take on their adult colouration at age nine weeks. The adult's hue actually varies from a deep slate or bluish gray all the way to light gray or even grayish-brown.

DIET:

They are primarily a grazer, in order of preference selecting for predominantly grass, and occasionally karroid shrubs and herbs.

BEHAVIOUR:

These clumsy clowns of the wild, with their humped shoulders, sloping backs and rocking-horse gait may justifiably snort and grunt in alarm, toss their massive heads about nervously and search the air for scents of predators: being the favourite prey of lions they have to be ever on the alert. They are gregarious, and occur in herds of 20 to 30 individuals; they may also form much larger herds numbering thousands. Like the black wildebeest, their social organization consists of territorial males, female herds, and bachelor groups. On their massive migrations, the younger, non-territorial bulls travel at the perimeter of the herd, often relying on the timidity of accompanying zebra for an early warning if predators are about. Exceptionally inquisitive, blue wildebeest often stand and stare at an intruder, before suddenly whirling round and galloping off. Blue wildebeest are tough and although normally timid, will fight ferociously when cornered.

Activity in the brindled gnu is concentrated in the morning and late afternoon, with the hot middle hours of the day being spent resting.  Despite their awkward appearance, brindled gnu are extremely agile. When alarmed, they will prance about, waving their tails and pawing the ground.  If a potential threat approaches close enough, they will run for a short distance then turn back to reassess the situation, repeating the situation as needed.

When pressed they have been clocked running over 80 kmph /  mph.  While the large, mixed migratory herds receive much attention, with thousands of animals making long treks, sedentary herds are also found, with a home range of about 1 square kilometer.  Adult males are territorial, and may occupy their territories for a few weeks or for the entire year.  Size of territory varies from about 2.5-4 acres, and the boundaries are marked with dung heaps, preorbital gland secretions, and the pawing of the earth.  The average distance between these males averages 100-140 meters, although this may vary from 9-1,600 meters depending on the idealness of the habitat.  Competition between males is comprised of displays, loud grunting calls, and shoving with the horns, although rarely are these serious fights. Only males with a territory may mate.  Unusual for most bovids, with the exception of cattle, wildebeest enjoy rolling in sand and dirt.  When possible, brindled gnu will drink twice daily. Wildebeest lifespans can be around 20 years.

BREEDING:

Males exhibit rivalry when staking out territory and when competing for females. In the actual clashes between males, they face off resting on bent front knees, exchanging horn thrusts for brief periods. Elaborate individual displays are made in the rivalry and courtship process, where males bellow, snort and protrude their horns into the soil. The mating process is thought to begin at the first full moon at the end of the rainy season. Once territory is established, the male attempts to lure or corral the female into his domain. A female may copulate with several different males, visiting several different territories. Most mating occurs during a three to four week period at the end of the rainy season (March to April), when this species is at its maximum vigour.

The female reaches sexual maturity at age three, and the male at age four; however, it is more typically age five when the male has developed sufficient strength and experience to defend territory. Generally fewer than half of the adult males create territories in a given year. In the Serengeti, population densities are so high that there may be 270 territorial bulls within one square kilometer. Estes terms the total volume of noise created during the Serengeti rutting season as “indescribable” in its amplitude and variety of snorting, bellowing and fighting. When the dry season is well underway about August, territories cease to exist.

The gestation period is approximately 8.5 months, with calves able to stand within seven minutes and run with the herd in less than two hours from birth. These precocial features are warranted since the Blue Wildebeest is a staple of the lion's diet; however the spotted hyena, cheetah, leopard, and the Nil crocodile also take Wildebeest as prey. To escape predation calves remain close to the mother for a significant time, and in fact may suckle for up to one year. In large herds 80 percent of Wildebeest offspring survive the first month, compared to a 50 percent survival rate within small herds.

PREDATORS:

Adults:Lion,Leopard,Spotted Hyena,Hunting Dog,Nile Crocodile,HUMANS.

Calves:Lion,Leopard,Cheetah,Spotted Hyena,Hunting Dog,Nile Crocodile,Eagles,Jackals,Caracal,Baboons,HUMANS.

WILDEBEEST BYTES:

Driven by their need for water,and their partiality for fresh,sprouting grass,Blue Wildebeest have an amazing ability to track down a rainstorm,even if its many kilometres away.Sometimes in herds of thousands,they will follow the sounds of thunder,or perhaps the sight of rain clouds,until they reach the freshly fallen rains.

OBSERVED AT: Selection:

Pete's Pond : Selection

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Wildebeest+Pete%27s+Pond

Nkorho :       Selection

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Wildebeest+Pete%27s+Pond

Djuma :       Selection

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Wildebeest+Djuma

Awaiting Image

Wildebeest Tracks:

HIPPOPOTAMUS                  

                       SCIENTIFIC: Hippopotamus Amphibious 

                       AFRIKAANS: Seekoei        

                       SETSWANA: Kubu

                       ISIZULU:  Imvubu

                      SWAHILI: Kiboko

            Given name derived from Greek word "River Horse"

STATUS:   Vulnerable

THREATS / CONSERVATION:

Hippos are subject to unregulated or illegal poaching. In addition to addressing these common threats, the genetic diversity of hippos would need to be preserved to ensure the safety of the species. In May 2006 the hippopotamus was identified as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List,drawn up by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), with an estimated population of between 125,000 and 150,000 hippos, a decline of between 7 percent and 20 percent since the IUCN's 1996 study. Recently,Hippo's have been hunted for their huge tusk-like teeth to make ornaments,as poaching for Elephant Ivory has become more restricted due to increased protection.

The hippo population declined most dramatically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The population in Virunga National Park had dropped to 800 or 900 individuals from around 29,000 in the mid 1970s, raising concerns about the viability of that population. The decline is attributed to the disruptions caused by the Second Congo War. Poachers are believed to be former Hutu rebels, poorly paid Congolese soldiers, and local militia groups. Reasons for poaching include the belief that hippos are unintelligent, that they are a harm to society, and also for money. The sale of hippo meat is illegal, but black-market sales are difficult for WWF officers to track.

Hippo populations across the continent are currently threatened by loss of access to fresh water.

 http://moray.ml.duke.edu/projects/hippos/

CONTINENTAL RANGE:

Once roamed throughout Africa,south of Sahara.Now range is fragmented. [Shown in green]

SOUTHERN AFRICAN MAP: Not Available

                              FACTSHEET

HABITAT:

The hippopotamus is a semi-aquatic mammal, inhabiting rivers and lakes,surrounded by grassland and light bush in sub-Saharan Africa in large groups of up to 40 hippos.

APPEARANCE:

The Hippo is a massive, semi-aquatic mammal with a total mass of up to 2,5 tonnes. It is able to walk under water on the river bed, and can remain submerged for five minutes.

The Hippopotamus, whose hide alone can weigh half a ton, is the third-largest living land mammal, after elephants and white rhinos.
An enormous, amphibious mammal with smooth, naked skin. An inflated looking body supported on short, thin legs. Huge muzzle (bigger in males), eyes, nostrils and little ears placed high on the head. Canines enlarged as tusks. Brown to gray purple with pink underparts and creases, short bristles on head, back and tail.

The hippo's proportions reflect its sedentary, amphibious existence. Its plump and bulky body is set on short, stumpy legs, with each foot having four toes. Although webbed, the toes splay enough to distribute the weight evenly over each toe and therefore adequately support the hippo on land.

With very thick skin, especially over the back and rump, the grayish-brown body is almost completely hairless, with only a few bristles around the mouth and the tip of the tail. The hippo has neither sweat nor sebaceous glands but does have unique glands that produce a viscous red fluid, leading to the myth that hippos "sweat blood." The hippo relies on water or mud to keep it cool, and the red fluid may have a similar function, but it is often produced in copious amounts when the animal is excited.

 Even though they are bulky animals, hippopotami can run faster than a human on land. Estimates of their running speed vary from 30 km/h (18 mph) to 40 km/h (25 mph), or even 50 km/h (30 mph). The hippo can maintain these higher speeds for only a few hundred meters or yards.

DIET:

The Hippo sleeps in or alongside the water during the day and at night forages for grass close to the water. Herbivorous; a grazer, it eats about 40 kg of preferably short grass nightly, mowing a 50 cm swath with its muscular lips.
Although there have been a few reported cases of Hippo eating meat,and even cannibalism,they are not suited for a carnivore diet.Such reported cases,usually attributed to aberrant behaviour of nutritional stress.

BEHAVIOUR:

Hippos spend most of their days wallowing in the water or the mud, with the other members of their pod. The water serves to keep their body temperature cool, and to keep their skin from drying out. With the exception of eating, most of hippopotami's lives—from childbirth, fighting with other hippos, and reproduction—occurs in the water.

Hippos leave the water at dusk and travel inland, sometimes up to 8 kilometers (5 mi), to graze on short grass, their main source of food. They spend four to five hours grazing and can consume 68 kilograms (150 lb) of grass each night.

The diet of hippos consists mostly of terrestrial grasses, but they spend most of their time in the water. Most of their defecation occurs in the water, creating allochthonous deposits of organic matter along the river beds. These deposits have an unclear ecological function. Because of their size and their habit of taking the same paths to feed, hippos can have a significant impact on the land they walk across, both by keeping the land clear of vegetation and depressing the ground. Over prolonged periods hippos can divert the paths of swamps and channels.

Adult hippos are not generally buoyant. When in deep water, they usually propel themselves by leaps, pushing off from the bottom. They move at speeds up to 8 km/h (5 mph) in water. Young hippos are buoyant and more often move by swimming, propelling themselves with kicks of their back legs. Adult hippos typically resurface to breathe every 4–6 minutes. The young have to breathe every two to three minutes. The process of surfacing and breathing is automatic, and even a hippo sleeping underwater will rise and breathe without waking. A hippo closes its nostrils when it submerges.

Hippopotami are territorial only in water, where a bull presides over a small stretch of river, on average 250 meters in length, and containing ten females. The largest pods can contain up to 100 hippos. Other bachelors are allowed in a bull's stretch, as long as they behave submissively toward the bull. The territories of hippos exist to establish mating rights. Within the pods, the hippos tend to segregate by gender. Bachelors will lounge near other bachelors, females with other females, and the bull on his own. When hippos emerge from the water to graze, they do so individually.

Hippopotami appear to communicate verbally, through grunts and bellows, but the purpose of these vocalizations is unknown. Hippos have the unique ability to hold their head partially above the water and send out a cry that travels through both water and air; hippos above and under water will respond.

Adult hippos are hostile toward crocodiles, which often live in the same pools and rivers as hippos. This is especially so when hippo calves are around. Hippos have been known to be aggressive towards humans, and it is often claimed that hippos are the deadliest animal in Africa; however, according to Smithsonian Magazine, while the animal is very dangerous, reliable statistics for this are unavailable.

Threat Display: Water scooping, where a hippo appears to be mouthing and gulping the water, usually with tightened or staring eyes. Snorting, mock charging or full blown charges which can be followed up by actually leaving the water. Head shaking and chasing other hippos. Exhaling explosively above or below the water surface.

To mark territory, hippos spin their tails while defecating to distribute their excrement over the greatest possible area. Hippos also urinate backwards (are retromingent), likely for the same reason.

Hippos rarely kill each other, even in territorial challenges. Usually a territorial bull and a challenging bachelor will stop fighting when it is clear that one hippo is stronger. When hippos become overpopulated, or when a habitat starts to shrink, bulls will sometimes attempt to kill infants; sometimes female hippos will kill the bulls to protect their infants, but neither behavior is common under normal conditions.

Gaping: Hippos have a wide variety of reasons for gaping. One is a genuine yawn where the jaws are opened widely, often with the hippo male or female stretching up with its head out of the water. It is as well a standard threat display, exposing the obviously large lower canines (In a male, the lower canines have been known to grow to 3 feet in length). Gaping is often used in play between calves or between calves and adults, where the gape is followed by a pushing jostling competition.

BREEDING:

Cows give birth to a single young in shallow waters, after a gestation period of 8 months.The calf is often hidden in reeds for a few days by the mother, after which she and her baby rejoins the herd. Females reach sexual maturity at the age of seven to eight years. A female can produce up to ten young during her lifespan of approximately 35 years in the wilds. It is a myth that the mother carries her calve. What happens is that in cold conditions a young will rest the front part of its body onto that of an adult to sun bathe; due to their smaller body mass the young loses body heat faster than adults.
Most mating occurs in the dry season, always in the water, when populations are concentrated. Calves are hidden,not only from predators,but from territorial males looking for any chance to mate with the mother.There has been documented evidence of adult male Hippo's killing calves.

PREDATORS:

Adults:HUMANS

Calves:Lion,HUMANS. Male Hippo's [Breeding-related only]

HIPPO BYTES:

It was considered a female deity of pregnancy in ancient Egypt, but in modern times has been wiped out of that country because of the damage it inflicts on crops.

Did you know that Hoppo's are more closely related to Pigs than Horses as their Greek name, "River Horse" implies.

Its is now over the last decade or so,believed that Hippo's and Cetaceans,ie Whales,Porpoises etc,are thought by a few experts to be related,as both share a common Prehistoric ancestor.

During the catastrophic Indian Ocean Tsunami & Earthquake of December 24th 2004,a Hippo calf was washed out to sea by the Tsunami off the Kenya coast,and was subsequently rescued..and what followed,was a remarkable tale of friendship bewtween two very different creatures.Link below.

http://owenandmzee.com/omweb/

Hippo Soundclips [the green/black triangle control button].

http://www.audiosparx.com/sa/display/sounds.cfm/sound_group_iid.2096

Observed at:

Djuma : Selection:

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Hippo+Djuma

Nkorho : Selection:

http://uk.youtube.com/results?search_query=Hippo+Nkorho

My shots

Hippo Tracks:

Image acredited to Bruce G Marcol

 From www.wild-about-you.com

GIRAFFE                                  

                 SCIENTIFIC:  Giraffa Camelopardalis    

                 AFRIKAANS: Kameelperd      

                SETSWANA: Thutlwa

                ISIZULU: Indlulamithi

                SWAHILI: Twiga

                         English name originated from: Ziraafa / Zurapha [Arabic] ='Assemblage'

Image acredited to Roger De La Harpe at SA Tourism

  STATUS: Conservation Dependant

THREATS / CONSERVATION:

Giraffes were previously killed for their tails alone, which were used as fly swats, good luck charms and thread for sewing. Now, the main threats to the giraffe are habitat loss and poaching for meat and hides.

Giraffes are protected where they occur in National Parks and private game parks, and whilst they are also protected by hunting laws, poaching still occurs. The giraffe is involved in a Species Survival Program for captive individuals in American zoos, which includes the education of the public in conservation matters as well as cooperation with other conservation agencies

CONTINENTAL RANGE: All sub-species

SOUTHERN AFRICAN RANGE:

 FACTSHEET

HABITAT:

Giraffes can inhabit savannas, grasslands, or open woodlands. They prefer areas enriched with Acacia growth. They often drink, and as a result, they can spend long periods of time in dry, arid areas. When searching for more food they will venture into areas with denser foliage.

 APPEARANCE:

The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world, attaining a height of 5.5m, its incredibly long neck accounting for much of its height. The long neck has resulted in a complex blood circulatory system, which is not yet fully understood by zoologists. 

Male giraffes are around 16–18 feet (4.5-5.5 metres) tall at the horn tips, and weigh 1700–4200 lb. (770-1900 kg) Females are one to two feet (30-60 cm) shorter and weigh several hundred pounds less than males. Giraffes have spots covering their entire bodies, except their underbellies, with each giraffe having a unique pattern of spots. Giraffe can run,when the need is necessary,at 50 km/hr.

Both sexes have horns, although the horns of a female are smaller. The prominent horns are formed from ossified cartilage and are called ossicones. The appearance of horns is a reliable method of identifying the sex of giraffes, with the females displaying tufts of hair on the top of the horns, whereas males' horns tend to be bald on top - an effect of necking in combat. Males sometimes develop calcium deposits which form bumps on their skull as they age, which can give the appe