Namibia
Etosha Animals
Elephant, Antelope, and other Herbivores
*This page is currently being revamped.*
All in all, large and small predators account for relatively few of the total number of animals in the Park. They are significantly outnumbered by herbivores, which can be broadly classified as either grazers or browsers, although many species do both. Grazers, like Wildebeest, depend on the grass for their nutrition while browsers, like the Giraffe, have a diet based around leaves. In times of drought when grasses disappear, the distinction between the two can become blurred, as animals will eat any nutritious plant that they can find. In fact, the two most successful mammals in the Park - Elephant and Impala - have adapted to both grazing and browsing conditions. Generally, grazers need water at least every two days while browsers get most of their moisture needs from eating green leaves and are less dependent on regular water intake.
After the Elephants, the herbivores are listed here in alphabetical order, but only species that I`ve managed to photograph are included.
African Elephant
Elephants are found throughout Namibia, from the hostile habitat of Damaraland to the more protected environment of national parks all over the country. Etosha National Park currently has the largest population of elephants in Namibia, with about 2,500 individuals recorded at the last count. In the north-east of the country and the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) they roam freely between the Okavango Delta in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Angola. Namibia also has a population of Desert-adapted Elephants, which can be found throughout Damaraland and the Kaokoveld.
African elephants live in small families of between 10 and 20 animals, and these groups, led by dominant females known as matriarchs, frequently congregate to form large herds at communal waterholes, Bulls generally live alone or in small bachelor groups, only joining the herds when the cows are in season. Males can be identified with a rounded rather than angular foreheads and thicker tusks. The flaps of the ears are very large reaching a height of over 6 feet (2 metres) and a breadth of 4 feet (1.2m).
Sadly, poaching in Namibia is increasing at an alarming rate but this was not always the case. Back in 1967, during the dry season, the first aerial survey of Etosha counted around 500 elephants within the national park, but in 1973 the number rose to 1,300.
By 1983 the amount had swelled to 3,000, the animals taking advantage of the lack of persecution. Many had moved from northwestern Namibia to join resident herds, mainly to avoid South African military operations and widespread poaching in that part of the country.
Following a prolonged drought which lasted from 1980 until 1983, large tracts of grass and vegetation throughout southern Africa were in danger of turning to desert, placing not only the elephants` long term future at risk, but also species such as the Black Rhino. As a result the authorities decided follow the example of Kruger National Park in South Africa and drastically reduce the elephant population. The result was that between 1983 and 1985, 525 elephants were culled in the western section of Etosha and their carcasses were brought by flat-bed truck to a processing station at Olifantsrus for disposal.
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Black-faced Impala
The Common Impala (Aepyceros melampus) formerly occurred widely in southern and East Africa, from central and southern Kenya and north-east Uganda to northern KwaZulu-Natal, with a small disjunct population of Black-faced Impala in north-west Namibia and south-east Angola. Their current distribution remains largely unchanged from this historical range, however, the species is no longer present in some regions due to habitat loss and over-hunting for meat.
The Common Impala can be also be found in numerous privately owned game ranches and small reserves throughout southern Africa, while the Black-faced Impala, seen here, is naturally confined to the Kaokoland in north-west Namibia and neighbouring south-western Angola. They favour Mopane and acacia woodland and prefer to remain undercover amongst the trees, avoiding crossing large open areas or venturing on to the plains where possible.
During the 1970’s a small number of Black faced Impala where captured in the Kunene region of Namibia and released at Ombika, Halali and Namutoni after a period of quarantine where they are still found today. A few of these once endangered species have since been returned to game conservancies near Kunene where they have been placed in the custody of local conservationists.
During the 1970’s a small number of Black faced Impala where captured in the Kunene region of Namibia and released at Ombika, Halali and Namutoni after a period of quarantine where they are still found today. A few of these once endangered species have since been returned to game conservancies near Kunene where they have been placed in the custody of local conservationists.
Blue Wildebeest
Also commonly referred to as Gnu, there are five known subspecies of Blue Wildebeest in Africa: The Blue Wildebeest or Bridled Gnu (Connochaetes taurinus) pictured here, Eastern White-bearded Wildebeest (Connochaetes albojubatus), Cookson's Wildebeest (Connochaetes cooksoni), Nyassaland Wildebeest (Connochaetes johnstoni) and the Western White-bearded Wildebeest (Connochaetes mearnsi).
Blue Wildebeest are characterised by a long black mane and a beard of hair hanging from the throat and neck. The dark silver-grey body is marked with dark vertical bands on the front quarters and both sexes grow short curved horns. Bulls weigh 250 kg and measures 1.5 m at the shoulders. Cows are slightly smaller, measuring 1.4 m at the shoulder and with a mass of 180 kg. |
The Blue Wildebeest is native to Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe and has been successfully reintroduced in Namibia. Three African populations of Blue Wildebeest, although not those within Etosha, take part in a long-distance migration, timed to coincide with the annual pattern of rainfall and grass growth on the short-grass plains where they can find the nutrient-rich forage necessary for lactation and calf growth. Births of single calves per cow occur during summer after a gestation period of nine months. Calves can run with the herd within minutes of being born.
Common Duiker
Although I photographed this guy on the Okonjima Nature Reserve rather than Etosha, I`ve included an entry here as these small antelope are widespread throughout west, central, east, and southern Africa, basically everywhere on the continent south of the Sahara, excluding the Horn of Africa and the central and western rainforests. Also known as the Grey or Bush Duiker, the Common Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) will eat a varied range of food including broad-leaved plants, bark, flowers, fruits, seeds, fungi and tubers. Somewhat unusually for an antelope species they will also eat insects, frogs, small birds and mammals, and even carrion. Provided they get water from the food they eat, Duiker can go without drinking for very long periods.
Damara Dik-Dik
The Damara Dik-Dik (Madoqua kirkii) is Namibia`s smallest antelope species. Although they are regularly seen alone, they mate for long periods, probably for life. Despite their diminutive proportions, they are very territorial and should competition be too stiff, they will move on and seek out a new area. Among the characteristics of the Damara Dik-Dik is their proboscis nose which can be moved in any direction to scent for specific food sources. Their hooves have well-developed black rubbery pads that act as a shock absorbers when their feet strike the hard ground.
Dik-Dik favour habitats that provide cover such as dense woodland, mixed scrub and grassland, and one of the best places to see them in Etosha is the aptly named Dik-Dik Drive, accessed from the Klein Namutoni waterhole. These beautiful little animals are so delicate looking that it`s a wonder they can survive at all in such a predator-rich environment. They primarily rely on camouflage for protection, however, they will quite happily pose for a photo or wander past cars that have pulled in at the roadside.
Eland
The Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx) was encountered during both holidays, but only in very small numbers and only in the west and east sections of the Park. These animals are the second-largest antelope species in the world after the Giant Eland which is only found in African countries far to the north. The Common Eland is also commonly referred to as the Southern Eland or Eland Antelope, and prefers savannah, woodland with the exception of dense forests, and open grassy plains. The species is used by humans as a source of leather, meat, and rich, nutritious milk, and has been domesticated in many areas. Eland obtain most of their water from their food, although they will readily drink water when a supply is available.
In spite of its heavy physique, eland are remarkably agile and large bulls can easily jump over regular farmland boundary fences. One of the interesting characteristics of an Eland herd is that it includes a nursery for the calves. When threatened by predators, the herd forms a front with the large males taking the lead positions while the calves and pregnant females are protected behind the intimidating screen of large males.
Gemsbok - see Oryx
Giraffe
Kudu
The Kudu, also known as the Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), is a large antelope species which is widely distributed across eastern, central and southern Africa. In addition to wild populations, these animals are a common feature on private game reserves and regularly encountered on farmland.
Although they tend to stay in one area, the Greater Kudu may travel long distances in its search for water in times of drought. In southern Namibia where water is relatively scarce they have been known to cover extensive distances very quickly. Predators, such as Lions, Leopards, African Wild Dogs, Hyenas, and sometimes pythons, all hunt Kudu and their young. Many humans across the region enjoy Kudu meat products and use their hides and horns for various purposes. |
Oryx
Also known as Gemsbok (Oryx gazella), these large, distinctive antelope are widespread throughout Namibia and other arid areas of Southern Africa. They are very adaptable and can survive in a wide range of habitats, including desert, salt pans, open savannah and woodland and when there is no water to drink they will obtain enough fluid from the food they eat.
The Gemsbok is depicted on the coat of arms of Namibia, where the current population of the species is estimated at 373,000 individuals.
Red Hartebeest
These Red Hartebeest (Alcelaphus caama) were grazing on the grassland near the turn-off for the dried-up Batia waterhole which lies 2km from the southern edge of the main salt pan, roughly halfway between Halali and Namutoni. The waterhole here is named after Bernabe de la Bat, a biologist at the Park who, in the early 1950s, also served as Etosha`s Chief Game Warden.
The Red Hartebeest is a large, reddish-fawn antelope with a sloping back, a long narrow face and both sexes have heavily ringed horns. Of the 12 subspecies found in Africa, the Red Hartebeest is the only one which occurs in southern Africa. This animals` name comes from the Dutch word `hert` which means deer in Dutch and `beest` meaning beast. The term hartebeest was used by the early Boer settlers who thought the animals resembled a deer. Red Hartebeest are predominantly a grazing species and their preferred habitats are the dry, arid regions of Namibia, the Kalahari Desert, southern Botswana, and north-western South Africa. Following a gestation period of eight months, single calves are normally give birth before the summer rains. For a brief period after being born, calves are hidden in dense vegetation prior to joining the herd.
Springbok
The most numerous antelope species in the Park by far is the Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) which can be encountered anywhere, sometimes in huge herds numbering several thousand animals. They are strikingly coloured and instantly recognisable with a cinnamon coloured upper body, white underparts and a broad dark brown stripe on either flank stretching from the front legs to the rear legs. They have dark brown cheek flashes and their short white tail has a brown tuft. The horns of ewes are more slender and shorter than those of rams.
Springboks are selective feeders, and they will adapt to eat whatever is the best fodder available at any given time. They browse in the dry season and predominantly graze on grasses after the rainy season when the landscape is green. They are also fond of flowers such as of those of Acacia. When there is limited water availability they supplement their intake by eating moisture-rich tubers and roots.
Steenbok
This small fleet-footed antelope is a highly selective browser, preferring herbaceous flowering plants, fruits and young leaves to grass. During the dry season, when no standing water is available, Steenbok rake the ground for roots, tubers and bulbs and will even dig down shoulder-deep when they detect a supply. The high moisture content in these nutritious foods alone can sustain these animals for very long periods.
Only single lambs are born and are concealed for the first three to four months, during which time the mother only makes contact in the early morning and evening to feed and groom the infant. To conceal the youngster`s presence, the mother eats her lamb's faeces and drinks its urine during her visits, which keeps the hiding place relatively odour free, making detection harder for predators. |
Zebra
There are two species of Zebra in Southern Africa, the Plains or Burchell's Zebra (Equus quagga burchellii) (above) and the less common Hartmann's or Mountain Zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae). As the names suggest they occur in vastly differing habitats although they are known to occur together in areas where plains and mountains overlap. A third species, the Grevy's Zebra, also known as the Imperial Zebra, is found solely in East Africa and is the largest and most threatened species of the three.
Hartmann`s Mountain Zebra (above) is a subspecies of the Mountain Zebra found only in far south-western Angola and western Namibia. They prefer to live in small groups of 7-12 individuals. Living up to their name, these animals are agile climbers with the ability to survive in arid conditions and steep mountainous terrain. The main identifying features are that their stripes are thin, all black and close together. The stripes also go all the way down the animals` legs, unlike those of the common or Burchell`s Zebra. The latter species also has distinctive but less-vivid dark brown lines between the black stripes.
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