Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) The sitatunga ( Tragelaphus spekii ), a highly restricted semiaquatic tropical antelope similar in appearance to the closely related bushbuck , but the male is larger with a … The bull bushbuck … The calf takes time to master the specialised gait of the sitatunga, and thus often loses its balance and falls in water. Dr Vera Rduch completed her thesis on puku in Kasanka National Park. Sitatunga is prized bush meat. [21] Basically sedentary, they rest in flat areas and reed beds, especially during the hotter part of the day. A few weeks too early / late or a few kilometers off course and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. Subscribe to enjoy more stories like this – join our tribe. Another interesting fact about sitatunga legs is that their pasterns (the part of the leg just above the hoof) are flexible, this unusual leg construction makes it easy for sitatunga to run on damp surfaces. [1], The sitatunga is native to Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. A low-pitched squeak may be uttered while feeding. Delighted with our morning, we headed back to camp. She also found sitatunga hair in the scat of civet and white-tailed mongooses, who must have fed on sitatunga carrion as scavengers. related species are the bongo Tragelaphus eurycerus, the sitatunga T. spekei, the . The sitatunga is almost indistinguishable from the nyala, except in pelage and spoor. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia and Ethiopia, taking travellers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year. Formerly and alongside the Cape bushbuck it was generically known as the bushbuck, however, it has since been found to be a species in its own right, with a separate geographic distribution.Of all the other tragelaphine antelopes, the harnessed bushbuck … The mother gazes and nods at the calf to summon it for nursing. Sitatungas are early risers and most active just after dawn, which is why we were here, coffee in hand, at the misty start of a new day to silently watch as small groups and lone bulls with long curly horns graze peacefully. Their elongated, widely splayed, banana-shaped hooves allow them to walk almost silently through the water and across swampy ground. Bushbuck are typically taken on a 7-10 day plains game hunt in conjunction with other animals, plains game or dangerousgame. Head and body length of a Sitatunga ram measures 1.5 to 1.7 m, with a tail of 200 to 250 mm. However, only a few are of these parks and reserves are well-protected and managed. Males often utter a low bellow on coming across a female or a herd of females in the mating season. [22], Females are sexually mature by one year of age, while males take one-and-a-half-year before they mature. Bongo, Tragelaphus euryceros all with description and pictures. [4] The scientific name has often been misstated as T. spekei, and either Speke or Sclater is referred to as the binomial authority. It is nocturnal, shy, and usually solitary. [16] A pair of inguinal scent glands are present. [4], The coat colour varies geographically, but, in general, is a rufous red in juveniles and chestnut in females. In 2005, Sandi Willows-Munro of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) carried out a mitochondrial analysis of the nine Tragelaphus species. Researchers estimate that the global population on sitatunga is somewhere around 170,000. Here they occur in tall and dense vegetation as well as seasonal swamps, marshy clearings in forests, riparian thickets and mangrove swamps. What is a bushbuck? As the sun rose and the mist dissipated, a herd of elephants made their way across the flood plain, and one by one, the sitatunga melted away into the reeds. They share their habitat with the Nile lechwe in the Sudd swamps and with the southern lechwe in Angola, Botswana and Zambia. Their wedge-shaped and lowered head, coupled with the backward bend of the males’ horns allow for easy navigation through dense vegetation. The mother suckles and licks her calf for about six months. Year round, we offer hunts for awesome Trophy Bushbuck. When females gather, the males compete among each other for the right to mate, showing polygyny in males. [5], A study recorded forty major species eaten by the animal, the majority of which were herbs. Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) are kept in numerous zoological collections globally yet current information on species-specific husbandry requirements and captive behaviour patterns … Though common, even abundant, in African swamps and permanent marshes, the sitatunga is one of the most secretive and least-known of Africa’s large antelopes. Bespoke safaris and stories. [7][8], Within Tragelaphus, the kéwel, bongo, sitatunga and nyala (T. angasii) are particularly close relatives. [1][28], International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T22050A9352077.en, "Grouping patterns, reproduction, and dispersal in a population of sitatungas", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sitatunga&oldid=973994960, Mammals of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Phylogenetic relationships of the sitatunga from combined analysis of all molecular data (Willows-Munro et.al. Mothers communicate with their calves by bleats. [27] The rutting male approaches the female in a lower bending posture, sniffing her vulva. The grazing sitatunga glowed golden in the fading light. Speke had stated in a footnote in his book that the species had been named Tragelaphus spekii by English zoologist Philip Sclater. Sitatunga don’t only fall victim to natural predators. [9] The coats of males darken with age, becoming gray to dark brown. [4] However, according to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (Article 50.1.1) and the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, that acknowledge the person who first described the species, simply declaring Sclater as the authority in a footnote is insufficient to recognise him as the author. At the end of the day, we returned to Vivienne’s Hide, as the sun began to sink in the sky and were rewarded with a spectacular sunset tinting the flood plain orange and scarlet. The most compelling evidence for the division of the bushbuck … (Estes, 1991) Sitatunga is a … Tiny primate: new species of mouse lemur discovered, Elephant kills safari guide in Greater Kruger, CEO note: Free at last + Hwange + the edge, The Edge of Existence and human-wildlife conflict – we interview James Suter, Confiscated parrots fly free again over DR Congo forests. Sitatunga are good swimmers, but limit themselves to water with profuse vegetation in order to escape crocodiles. Sitatunga are swamp antelope. [12], On the basis of physical characteristics such as hair texture, coat colour and the coat stripes, up to ten subspecies of the sitatunga have been described. The sitatunga is confined to swampy and marshy habitats. Its splayed feet make it an accomplished swimmer. [27] Sitatunga move along clearly marked tracks in their swampy habitat, often leading to reed beds. At the time of mounting the female lowers her head, while the male first bends and then straightens his forelegs and rests his head and neck on her back. [5] Calves are hidden adroitly, and brought out of cover only in the presence of many other sitatunga. 1991. [1] The sitatunga has been classified under the Least Concern category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN),[1] and under Appendix III (Ghana) of the Washington Convention (CITES). Sweet potato was the most preferred crop. They often attract yellow-billed oxpeckers, African jacanas and great egrets. The hooves of the male are elongated and widely splayed. They are antelopes with geometrically shaped white patches or spots on the most mobile parts of the body — the ears, chin, tail, legs, and neck. [Vera Rduch, 2013. [9] Hybrids between bongo and sitatunga have proved to be fertile. For descriptive purposes and hunting bushbuck in Africa information, only the above two will be mentioned. In 1999, Rod East of the IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group estimated a total population of 170,000, but this is likely to be an overestimate. Breeding occurs throughout the year. Tailored safari specialists. [5] The species might even be monotypic,[5] however, based on different drainage systems, three distinct subspecies are currently recognised:[13][14], The sitatunga is a medium-sized antelope. The sitatunga and bushbuck are close enough genetically to produce viable hybrids in captivity, and almost indistinguishable from the nyala except for pelage and hooves. The wedge-like shape and lowering of the head, coupled with the backward bend of the horns (in males) provides for easy navigation through dense vegetation. [28] The inaccessibility of its habitat has rendered population estimates very difficult. Hearing is acute, and the ears are so structured that the animal can accurately determine the direction from where a sound has originated. Bushbuck and sitatunga … Males reach approximately 81–116 cm (32–46 in) at the shoulder, while females reach 72–90 cm (28–35 in). These floods force the animals out of the reed beds onto the flooded grasslands when the water levels are high. [21] Though sitatunga commonly form pairs or remain solitary, larger groups have also been observed. A calf follows its mother about even after she has given birth to another calf. And wouldn’t that be a pity? [9] Males, and even some females, have been observed to leave their herds even before reaching sexual maturity due to intrasexual competition. Ecology and Population Status of the Puku Antelope (Kobus vardonii LIVINGSTONE, 1857) in Zambia. Sightings of puku and sitatunga grazing together on the flood plains, combined with camera trap images of them entering woodlands in the late evening, in the hot, dry season (Sept-Oct), showed that while sitatunga tend to graze on young papyrus and reed shoots for the bulk of their diet, they don’t limit themselves to swamp vegetation. It is distinguished by its long, splayed hooves. Bushbuck and sitatunga are genetically similar enough to hybridise. Be inspired & stay informed about Africa. The results showed that sitatunga plus bongo (T. eurycerus) form a monophyletic clade with the mountain nyala (T. buxtoni) and kéwel (T. [20] Moreover, the colour of the coat provides an excellent camouflage. [5], The sitatunga is not territorial. Sitatunga, Marshbuck [Tragelaphus spekii sp] Appearance. Their age can often be told by looking at the colour of their coat; as they age their coats turn from a light russet brown to a darker greyish brown colour. Vast areas of Bangweulu and Busanga are burnt every year, placing animals like the sitatunga at grave risk given the inflammability of swamps. The early morning mist hovered over the marshland as the sun crept above the tangled, thick reeds, turning the sky from violet and brooding grey to pale pink. As the name implies, Limpopo bushbuck … Diet preferences may vary seasonally in swamps where water levels change notably. Other threats include the increasing loss of wetlands, that has isolated populations; and long-term changes in the water level, that affects the nearby vegetation and thus bears upon their diet. The bushbuck, that includes both imbabala (T. sylvaticus) and kéwel, and sitatunga are genetically similar enough to hybridise. [2][3] Speke first observed the sitatunga at a lake named "Little Windermere" (now Lake Lwelo, located in Kagera, Tanzania). The scientific name of the sitatunga is Tragelaphus spekii. The head-and-body length is typically between 136–177 cm (54–70 in) in males and 104–146 cm (41–57 in) in females. [24][25] They often dry themselves under the sun after feeding in water. Kasanka is one of Zambia’s smallest national parks, at 470km2, This peaceful little park is well endowed with rivers, lakes, wetlands, forests, lagoons, meadows and dambos that support an abundance of animals and birds. These hooves make them clumsy and vulnerable on firm terrain but well-adapted for walking through muddy, … [15], The sitatunga is an amphibious antelope (meaning it can live on both land and water) confined to swampy and marshy habitats. Though small in size, Bushbuck Outdoors is a 100% e-commerce clothing & outdoor gear company, our brands are Bushbuck & Seabuck, proud to be owned & operated from New Zealand, & shipping internationally. The bushbuck (Tragelaphus spp.) Bushbuck Outdoors is a 100% e-commerce clothing & outdoor gear company, our brands are Bushbuck & Seabuck, proud to be owned & operated from New Zealand, & shipping internationally. Like the gerenuk, the sitatunga may stand on its hindlegs to reach higher branches of trees, or even use its horns to pull down the branches. Sitatunga or marshbuck get their scientific name, Sitatunga stand between 75 and 100cm tall and weigh between 50 and 125kg. The kewel is more related to the nyala, while the imbabala shares traits with the bongo and the sitatunga. is the most widespread antelope in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is found in rain forests, montane forests, forest-savanna mosaics and bush savannaforest and woodland.Recently, genetic studies have shown that the bushbuck is, in fact, a complex of two geographically and phenotypically distinct species. Preferred plants include: bullrushes (Typha), sedges (Cyperus), aquatic grasses (Vossia, Echinochloa, Pennisetum, Leersia, Acroceras and Panicum. Using faecal analysis, Rduch ascertained that, in Kasanka, crocodiles feed on sitatunga, not surprising given their considerable overlap in habitat. The sitatunga or marshbuck (Tragelaphus spekii) is a swamp-dwelling antelope found throughout central Africa, centering on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, parts of Southern Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, Ghana, Botswana, Rwanda, Zambia, Gabon, the Central African Republic, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. It is sexually dimorphic, with males considerably larger than females. [5], Sitatunga are active mainly during the early hours after dawn, the last one or two hours before dusk, and at night,[20] and spend a large part of this time feeding. Publisher The sitatunga and bushbuck are close enough genetically to produce viable hybrids in captivity, and almost indistinguishable from the nyala except for pelage and hooves. General EnquiriesAdvertisingEditorsTravel with usCEO. scriptus). [26] Another study showed that annual floods affect the seasonal movement and diet of the species. Bush bucks are smallest members of the spiral horned antelope. Sitatunga breed throughout the year, females usually producing a single offspring, after an approximate seven month gestation period. [9] The sitatunga hold small home ranges near water bodies [25] In savannas, they are typically found in stands of papyrus and reeds (Phragmites species and Echinochloa pyramidalis). Founded in … [1][28], Habitat loss is the most severe threat to the survival of the sitatunga. The species was first described by the English explorer John Hanning Speke in 1863. LIMPOPO BUSHBUCK. The sitatunga is almost indistinguishable from the nyala, except in pelage and spoor. [17], The body and legs of this antelope are specially adapted to its swampy habitat. We were in Vivienne’s Hide in Kasanka National Park, Northern Zambia. In Zambia vast areas of the Bangweulu and Busanga swamps are burnt every year, placing animals like the sitatunga at grave risk. At low water levels the cattle take over the flooded plains and send the sitatunga back to their original place. [27] Lifespan recorded in captivity averages 22 to 23 years. Destinations, Hwange, Natural history, Zimbabwe. This adaptation is of profound use in habitats where long sight is of very little value due to the density and darkness of the environment. A study in Kenya recorded a herd of as many as nine individuals, comprising an adult male, four females and four juveniles. Though the sitatunga has been classified under the Least Concern category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), habitat loss is the most severe threat to the survival of the species. The Kudu, Eland and Oryx. Due to its close association with water, the sitatunga are often described as "aquatic antelopes", like the waterbuck. This barking may be used by females to warn off other females. They submerge their entire bodies, both when swimming and to avoid detection from predators, with only their nose and eyes poking above the water. This youngster will stay with its mother, being suckled by her for about six months, and learning to navigate the swamp safely, following its mother about, even after she has given birth again. The bushbuck stands about 1 … Their hearing is acute, with ears structured so they can accurately pinpoint the origin and direction of any sound; this is particularly useful in their dark and densely foliated environment, where long sight is of very little value. Ewes are smaller, head … When and where to go in Africa, and with whom. But when they find themselves on firm terrain, these same hooves can make them rather clumsy. Other threats include the increasing loss of wetlands that has led to isolated populations, long-term changes in the water level that affect nearby vegetation and consequently their diet. [9] There is a chevron between the eyes of the males. A calf will weigh between 3.5 and 4 kilograms at birth and potentially double in weight during its first months. [23] They may perform feinting by raising their forelegs with the hindlegs rooted in the ground as a threat display. Their long, splayed hooves allow them to walk across islands of floating vegetation and wet terrain without … [1][28] Its status is unclear in Chad, Ghana, Guinea, Burundi and Mozambique and Zimbabwe. PhD Thesis in Zoology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. The tail is 14–37 cm (5.5–14.6 in) long. [5] Only the males possess horns; these are spiral in shape, have one or two twists and are 45–92 cm (18–36 in) long. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveller, yoga teacher, trail runner and mother of two. [2], In Senegal, intensive hunting for meat and habitat degradation have made the sitatunga very rare. In some parks they have even been recorded feeding on elephant dung, obtaining nutrients from undigested seeds. 287 pp.]. And wouldn’t that be a pity? [25] They occur in tall and dense vegetation of perennial as well as seasonal swamps, marshy clearings in forests, riparian thickets and mangrove swamps. PhD Thesis in Zoology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn. ‘Shy bushbuck, kudu, eland, impala, and elephant all take their turn whilst buffalo and waterbuck make their way to the sandy banks of the Zambesi.’ ‘Few are dependent on bushmeat to feed their families, … They feed mainly on new foliage, fresh grasses, sedges and browse. mtDNA and nDNA data were compared. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. Significant populations still exist in countries such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Tanzania and Zambia. But what we had come to see was the sitatunga, and this is one of the best places in the world to spot this secretive, semi-aquatic antelope. However, these factors may not be reliable since hair texture could vary with the climate, while pelage colour and markings vary greatly among individuals. Their age can often be told by looking at the colour of their coat; as they age their coats turn from a light russet brown to a darker greyish brown colour. (Estes, 1991) Sitatunga is a … Males develop a rough and scraggy mane, usually brown in colour, and a white dorsal stripe. 287 pp.]. Males have horns, which are between 10 … In his book Journal of the Discovery of the Source of the Nile, Speke called the animal "nzoé" (Kiswahili name for the animal) or "water-boc" (due to its resemblance to the waterbuck). Males may engage in locking horns with other males and attacking vegetation using their horns. As a by-product, she also collected information on the park’s sitatunga, as the antelope overlap both in distribution and diet throughout the park. The sitatunga, or marsh buck, T. spekii, is a large antelope found in swampy forests in central Africa; it is a good swimmer, but it is awkward on land. Speke pointed out that, though "closely allied" to the waterbuck, the sitatunga lacks stripes and is spotted instead. 2005), This page was last edited on 20 August 2020, at 13:30. We stayed till we could see them no longer, and as the moon rose, climbed down the ladder and left them in peace. A calf takes time to master the specialised gait of the sitatunga, and will often, in the early months, lose its balance and fall into the water. The pasterns are flexible,[16] and the hooves, banana-like in shape,[19] can reach a length of up to 16 cm (6.3 in) in the hindlegs and 18 cm (7.1 in) in the forelegs. Although bushbucks live in both moist and dry habitats, their most important … This evidence shows that these two bushbuck species are more closely related to other tragelaphines than to each other; the Imbabala being closest to the Bongo (T. eurycerus) and Sitatunga … In some areas like South Africa they hunted as a sports activity. Our hunters typically hunt the South African Bushbuck … Guest 16-Apr-2013 15:54: thanx a lot, now i know the differences between kudu,nyala and bushbuck Even if the female flees, the male continues pursuing her steadily, without showing any sign of hurry. There are no seasonal restrictions on hunting the Bushbuck in South Africa, which makes it a suitable trophy year round. Check out our bushbuck sitatunga selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. The saucer-shaped ears are 11–17 cm (4.3–6.7 in) long. The floodplain was below us, and we watched as one by one, sitatunga emerged silently from the dense beds of phragmites and papyrus to graze in the open. Females are fawn-coloured with vertical white stripes and spots across their rump, to provide camouflage in dappled light.