Sitatunga

Introduction: Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei) are an elusive, semi-aquatic antelope that spend the greater part of their lives in dense papyrus and reed beds in swamp areas in water up to about 1m deep. They are active most times of the day, except during the hottest hours and are also mobile at night, moving out from swampland onto dry fringing woodland. This makes them difficult to spot, as does the dense mass of reeds which may grow up to 5m above the level of the water. The hooves are a characteristic feature of the adult male of the species and they reach a length of 18cm on the front feet and 16cm on the hind. Their shape and size enable them to hold on to the muddy underbelly of the swamp; otherwise they would slip into the deeper waters of hippo paths where crocodiles lie in wait.

They occur in small herds of six and on being disturbed reform into more closely knit units and bound off to safety. They are prey to lion and leopard. Sitatunga bark, especially at night, reminiscent of the bushbuck.

Distribution: Along the banks of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers in the Caprivi Strip and around Impalila Island.

Diet: Feeds on aquatic vegetation as well as on grass and leaves.

Colouring: Adult males are dark drab brown, (with no body stripes as with the East African species). Their hair is long, coarse and shaggy. Females are the same colour or slightly redder.