After various mentions in the ZC Forums recently, I'm going to assume that this is a Blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi), unless someone tells me differently! :)
After various mentions in the ZC Forums recently, I'm going to assume that this is a Blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi), unless someone tells me differently!
Apologies for the poor picture quality -- it was shot through two lots of wire on the Roan/Sitatunga hardstanding. Although I watched the animals (I saw two) at rest/sleeping for quite a while, I didn't get a face-on shot, as I didn't want to spook them by drawing sudden attention to myself.
This should help. They are two subspecies - given the trend these days I'm mildly surprised that they haven't been split off!
[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blesbok]Blesbok - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bontebok]Bontebok - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
Bontebok is the rarer animal - I think at one time its numbers were down to under 20. Both belong to that group of Southern African ungulates (along with White-tailed Gnu and Cape Mountain Zebra) that have long since become extinct as truly wild animals.
