Baraza

Category: wildlife | Date: Mar 06 2009 | By: Maina

Up to 25% of the worlds 91 known species of antelopes are in danger of extinction according to a statement released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to the report

Five species of antelope are in the highest category of threat, Critically Endangered, including the Dama Gazelle (Nanger dama), Aders’ Duiker (Cephalophus adersi), the Saiga Antelope (Saiga tatarica), Hirola (Beatragus hunteri) and Addax (Addax nasomaculatus). The Scimitar Horned Oryx (Oryx dammah) is already Extinct in the Wild, but there are ongoing efforts to reintroduce it.

The Hirola for example, is one of East Africa’s most endangered species of antelope. The Hirola is endemic to north-east Kenya and south-west Somalia. In Kenya, Hirola currently occur between Garsen, Bura and Galma Galla/Kolbio. Current status in south-west Somalia is not known, but its former range has been badly affected by prolonged civil and military conflicts that continued up to early 2007.

There is a small translocated population in Tsavo East National Park, outside the species’ natural range. This originated from a translocation of 30 animals from Garissa District conducted in 1963. It is thought that most of these perished soon after release and that the size of the “effective founder population” was only 11 to 19 animals. A further 10 animals were translocated to Tsavo East in 1996.

As usual, continued over-harvesting for meat and medicine as well as human encroachment are the culprits for the declining population of antelopes. Dr Philippe Chardonnet, Co-Chair of the IUCN Antelope Specialist Group, is quoted in the IUCN press release saying, “Unsustainable harvesting, whether for food or traditional medicine, and human encroachment on their habitat are the main threats facing antelopes,”.

If you look at these rather sombre news from another perspective, it might seem like antelopes are not doing so bad after all. But look a little closer and you will see that the situation is still dire. We might lose 25 species of antelopes and these are not the only ones who’s population is declining. As a matter of fact the springbok, a native of southern Africa, is the only antelope species whose numbers have increased over the long term.

Tags: antelope, endangered, extinction, IUCN

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