Sitatunga in the Kafue Flats

Kudu <i>Tragelaphus strepsiceros</i> a close relative of the sitatunga

Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros a close relative of the sitatunga
© WWF-Canon / Martin HARVEY

Tragelaphus spekei

Like lechwe, sitatunga is an old Bantu word and the Sitatunga Marsh antelope is truly aquatic. Bigger than the lechwe, the sitatunga spends much of its time grazing reeds and other water-plants in the swamps.

It too has hooves beautifully adapted or walking on boggy ground and it can swim and even totally submerge itself when startled, leaving just its nostrils sticking out.

At night-time male sitatungas will posture and "horn" the ground when they meet each other. They also bark at each other...

As it is difficult to observe this elusive creature, it’s not clear how many sitatungas live in the Kafue Flats but it’s certain that the numbers have decreased greatly over the past decades because of habitat loss and poaching.

Size:

The sitatunga stands around 1.25-1.75 metres tall.

Colour

The shaggy, water-resistant coat varies in colour among populations but the females are generally reddish-brown and the males are greyish-brown, with a scraggly mane and white dorsal stripe.

Habitat

Sitatunga are aquatic antelopes living in swamps; their elongated hooves prevent them from sinking into marshy ground. Like the Kafue lechwe, they will almost totally submerge when threatened.

Diet

Many kinds of aquatic and terrestrial plants including reeds, grasses and shrubby foliage.

Breeding

The females produce one baby after a 7 month pregnancy and suckle their calves for 6 months.

Behaviour

Sometimes females live in groups of 3 but often they are solitary like the males. Males also make loud "barking" noises.

Interesting?

Sitatunga are both nocturnal and diurnal, being most active at dawn and dusk. They are also excellent swimmers.