These endangered Roan Antelope were photographed on an Aves North East Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, an IBA in South Africa.

Roan Antelope

The Roan Antelope - Hippotragus equinus – is found in woodland and grassland savanna.

Description

Named for the "roan' colour - a reddish brown, they have a lighter underbelly, white eyebrows and cheeks and a black face, lighter in females. There is a short erect mane, a very light beard and prominent red nostrils. The horns are ringed and can reach a metre long in males, slightly shorter in females. They arch backwards slightly. They have a life span of up to 17 years.

Food

Food consists of medium high grasses and rarely leaves.

Breeding

There does not appear to be a specific breeding season. Females become sexually receptive within three weeks of giving birth, and are capable of reproducing every 10-10.5 months.  A pregnant female will separate from her herd prior to giving birth, and remain with her new calf for about five days afterwards.  After the female has rejoined the herd, the young calf remains concealed for five more weeks, subsequently joining a 'creche' with other youngsters in the herd. Gestation Period is between 268-280 days.

Conservation Status – Least concern

The roan antelope is classified as a Least concern, conservation dependent species by the IUCN (1996), however in South Africa it is an endangered species.

Game Viewing

Asks Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to create a tour for you to see these beautiful antelope or book on one of the following Aves scheduled tours: -

Aves North East Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.

Aves North West Birding Tour/Safari/Adventure.