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Africa is synonomous with wildlife. South Africa is blessed with many magnificent species.
In the past, species on the brink of extinction received international media coverage through the concerted
efforts of conservation groups. Members of the 'Big 5' group - favoured for hunting trophies - were among the first
to register in the conscience of many.
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Statistics |
| Africa: |
75 species |
| South Africa: |
29 species |
| On Klipkop: |
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Eland
Kudu
Blue Wildebeest
Red Hartebeest
Water Buck
Springbok
Impala
Common Reedbuck
Moutain Reedbuck
Klipspringer
Common(Grey)Duiker
Steenbok
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However, there are many species who do not carry the same profile, yet are no less important in ecological terms
and certainly no less enchanting. Buck - also known as antelope - are just one example of species overlooked.
The first mammal hunted to extinction
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The Blue Buck became the first African mammal hunted to extinction in the late 18th century.
Also members of the Hippotragus family, the Roan and Sable antelope are so rare their (live) auction
value is around R50,000 (USD 8,000) and R150,000 (USD 25,000) per head respectively.
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Another on the brink
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The tiny Oribi antelope has attracted the attention of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT).
In 2003, the EWT established a Working Group to help curb the Oribi's decline, attributed to loss of grassland habitat, snaring, and illegal dog and sport hunting.
They are seeking to work with private landowners to cultivate 'Oribi friendly' practises. Klipkop has registered as a potential relocation site for doomed populations.
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Continual vigilance required
The 2008 IUCN Red List of Endangered Species lists around 90% of Southern African antelope species as Lower Risk / Conservation Dependent (LR/cd) at best.
This means that should conservation efforts cease, species would qualify for one of the threatened categories (vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered) within a period of 5 years.
Already, some are in a particularly vicarious position.
- Various oribi, klipspringer, duiker, hartebeest, tsessebe, roan, sable, waterbuck and kudu species are now either LR/nt (near threatened) or LR/cd with populations trending downwards.
- One dik-dik species and two duiker species are already listed as VU (vulnerable / threatened).
It shouldn't be necessary for any species to be threatened with extinction before someone takes action. Klipkop does not have habitat suitable
for all antelope species, but we will do our utmost to help those species we can. See our gallery for images of some species
already on Klipkop.
The future of many antelope species is not assured and highly dependent upon continuing conservation efforts.
Sources:
1. IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://www.iucnredlist.org/. Downloaded 25 July 2006.
2. Endangered Wildlife Trust. Oribi Working Group. http://www.ewt.org.za/. July 2006
