The Oribi Working Group (OWG), a multidisciplinary Oribi conservation coalition which falls under the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Threatened Grassland Species Programme (TGSP), has recently and successfully relocated two pairs of threatened Oribi to new and far more suitable reserves. The translocation of these animals forms part of the EWT’s conservation action strategy to save the species.

The Oribi, a highly specialised antelope inhabiting Africa’s temperate grasslands, has been classified as Endangered in South Africa’s latest Red Data Book for Mammals because of its rapid decline in recent years. The greatest threat to the Oribi is the relentless destruction of their habitat and the persistent persecution of the species through dog hunting.

Said Dr Ian Little, Manager of the EWT’s TGSP: “Landowners applying suitable grassland management, and the far more rigorous monitoring and control of dog hunting, can play an important role in improving the situation for Oribi on their properties. However this is, occasionally, beyond the control of landowners and in those isolated circumstances we are stepping in and relocating the threatened Oribi to safer and more appropriate reserves.”

The OWG has moved Oribi from the Nambiti Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, where a recent Cheetah relocation put them at risk, to the Gelijkwater Mistbelt Nature Reserve. This mist-belt grassland reserve is owned by MONDI (Ltd) and is ideal for hosting Oribi, which used to be plentiful in the area but disappeared several years ago. Fencing has been constructed and game guards are constantly on patrol ensuring that the reserve is a safe haven for the translocated Oribi.

“We are elated to report that the two pairs of Oribi relocated to Gelijkwater are successfully settling into their new home range. We hope that these and other such efforts result in the development of more substantial, self sustainable populations of Oribi in the future,” continued Little.

In order to assess trends in Oribi populations and to identify further doomed populations the EWT-TGSP co-ordinates an annual Oribi survey. Forms will be accessible by August every year at www.ewt.org.za/tgsp. The EWT’s OWG is supported by Rand Merchant Bank; Mondi Shanduka Newsprint, Mazda Wildlife Fund, Farmers Agri-care and NCT Forestry Co-operative Limited

Oribi

Oribi - Ourebia ourebi -  are graceful slender-legged, long-necked small antelope found in grassland almost throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. They typically inhabit open grasslands or thinly bushed country, preferring habitats with short grasses on which to graze, interspersed with tall grass which provides cover from predators and the elements. Oribi are highly water-dependent and tend to avoid steep slopes.

Description

The back and upper chest is yellow to orange-brown. The chin, throat, chest, belly and rump are white. The tail is short and bushy, the upper side black or dark brown, and the under surface white. The white crescent-shaped band of fur above the eye is a characteristic that helps to distinguish this species from other similar-looking antelope. Below each ear is a large round black glandular patch, the nostrils are prominently red, and on the sides of the face are vertical creases that house the preorbital glands. Only males grow horns, which are slender and upright, ridged to about halfway up, the ends being smooth and pointed.

Food

Oribi prefer to eat short grasses but will browse on leaves, foliage and young shoots during the dry season.

Breeding

August to December, the male will mate with all the females who share his territory. Usually only one or two females are present in each territory. Following a gestation period of 6 to 7 months, a single offspring is born. For the first 8 to 10 weeks the female oribi hides her young in thick grass, where it will lie motionless if approached. The mother returns periodically to suckle her offspring. Young are weaned at about four to five months.

Conservation Status – Least Concern

They are threatened by habitat destruction, illegal hunting and inappropriate management in conservation areas. Oribi occur in several protected areas and are the subject of a WWF Species Project. This project aims to track captive-bred oribi after their release into appropriate habitat to research their home ranges and their habitat preferences. The long-term aim of the project is to establish viable wild populations from captive-bred stock.

Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to create a tour for you to see these beautiful antelope.