Eland antelope
- Class: Birds (Aves)
- Order: Ostriches (Struthioniformes)
- Family: Ostriches (Struthionidae)
- Genus: Struthio
- Species: Struthio camelus
Size
The eland is the world’s largest antelope. A fully-grown eland weighs between 500 and 600 kg, and some exceed 900 kg.
Ecology
The eland prefers open savanna, semi-arid areas or dry forests. In favourable habitats eland congregate to form herds numbering hundreds of individuals, even though usually herd sizes are considerably smaller. Herd hierarchy is not determined by any particular strict social arrangement except amongst adult bulls, but generally adults are not territorial. Bulls only tend to females in heat, but otherwise do not associate with each other.
Calves are defended from lions and other predators by adults collectively - a behavioural pattern that is very rare among antelopes.
Food habits
Eland are reliant upon grass as a food source less than are cattle, and as a result they cause less soil erosion and are able to exist in many different types of habitat.
Longevity
Eland can live for 25 years.
Reproduction
The gestation period is 8 to 9 months, and the cow usually gives birth to a single calf. Reproduction rate peaks are determined by high seasonal rainfall.
Conservation status
In recent times eland have been decimated by humans, one of their few natural enemies. Today, eland have been reintroduced with great success into many areas, which they used to inhabit. Furthermore, they are bred commercially in South Africa and Zimbabwe as semi-domestic exotic breeds. Maturing at faster rates, their milk having higher protein and fat contents, and being immune to the lethal tsetse fly, has made them a preferred alternative to other livestock.
