Kafue lechwe or Marsh antelope

A Red Lechwe in the Okovango Delta - red lechwes are close relatives of the Kafue lechwe.
© WWF-Canon / Martin HARVEY

Kobus leche kafuensis

The Kafue lechwe is the region's most famous animal as it lives only in the Kafue Flats and nowhere else. Lechwe is an old Bantu name for antelope and the Kafue lechwe is one of three different races of lechwe or marsh antelope which live specifically in swamps and wetlands.

The hooves of the Kafue lechwe are long and wide-spreading which enables the animal to move easily on marshy ground. Indeed the Kafue lechwe is far more at home wading through half a metre of water than stumbling across dry land - and it’s also an excellent swimmer.

The Kafue lechwe is a medium-sized, reddish brown antelope with white undersides. The males have beautiful long, lyre-shaped horns which are thin and ridged along most of their length.

Since the construction of hydroelectric dams in the Kafue Flats in the 1970’s, it’s thought that the population of Kafue lechwe has been more than halved: from approximately 100,000 in the 1970’s to fewer than 40,000 in 2001.

However one of WWF’s priorities in the Kafue Flats is to restore the original population size and, where necessary, to reintroduce this species into areas where it no longer lives.

The Kafue lechwe is the region's most famous animal as it lives only in the Kafue Flats and nowhere else. Lechwe is an old Bantu name for antelope and the Kafue lechwe is one of three different races of lechwe or marsh antelope which live specifically in swamps and wetlands. The hooves of the Kafue lechwe are long and wide-spreading which enables the animal to move easily on marshy ground. Indeed the Kafue lechwe is far more at home wading through half a metre of water than stumbling across dry land - and it's also an excellent swimmer.

The Kafue lechwe is a medium-sized, reddish brown antelope with white undersides. The males have beautiful long, lyre-shaped horns which are thin and ridged along most of their length.

Since the construction of hydroelectric dams in the Kafue Flats in the 1970's, it's thought that the population of Kafue lechwe has been more than halved: from approximately 100,000 in the 1970’s to fewer than 40,000 in 2001.

However one of WWF's priorities in the Kafue Flats is to restore the original population size and, where necessary, to reintroduce this species into areas where it no longer lives.

Size:

They stand about 85 - 110 cms tall and weigh between 60 - 130 kg.

Colour

Their long, rough greasy coat is reddish-brown with white undersides. The males have lyre-shaped horns which can reach 90 cms. The Kafue lechwe has distinctive black markings on its face and front legs.

Habitat

Kafue lechwe are happiest standing in up to 50 cms depth of water, only coming out to rest or calve.

Diet

Grass and aquatic plants.

Breeding

Females give birth after 7-8 months gestation and give milk for 3-4 months.

Behaviour

Yes, large groups of 400 or more individuals. Lechwe emit a snorting cough as an alert signal and during mating displays.

Interesting?

Kafue lechwe are known as semi-aquatic antelopes and are regularly seen grazing in shoulder-deep water. When frightened, they completely submerge leaving only their nostrils showing. The Kafue lechwe is unique to the Kafue Flats.