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.