Nile Lechwe

Kobus megaceros

Lechwe is the Bantu word for Antelope, which is what today's animal happens to be. These Endangered ungulates hail from only a few locations in East Africa.They are actually considered to be sacred creatures by some peoples in Sudan. Their primary habitats are marsh and swampland areas.

The Nile Lechwe are very social creatures. They create many different vocalizations, including calls to identifies mothers and children, calls to signify threats, and calls that are used during the breeding season.

Males and females actually look quite different, and not just in size. Though they are all born the same color, the males grow a very dark chocolate brown as they mature, along with growing horns. Females lack horns, and stay a creamier light brown color.

Sadly, habitat loss and hunting have decreased the overall population, and they are now listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Conservation measures are difficult to maintain, due to all of the political turmoil in teh surrounding region.

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IUCN Status : Endangered
Location : East Africa
Size : Shoulder Height up to 41in (105cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Bovidae -- Genus : Kobus -- Species : K. megaceros