Cape Eland Hunting African Safaris

Cape Eland

(Taurotragus oryx oryx)

Current all time records
SCI: Score 113 2/8 - R.S.A., Brits - 9/96
Rowland Ward: Score 45 - Postmasburg, N. Cape, RSA - 1994

Description: The smooth tan or fawn coat may have narrow white vertical stripes on flanks. Males are usually darker, with a gray or bluish tinge to their coat, and have a distinctive dark 'rug' of hair on their foreheads. There is a pendulous, black-tufted dewlap on the lower throat. The slightly diverging horns are found in both sexes and are virtually straight, with 2 tight twists. Horns in females are longer and thinner than in males, growing up to 68 cm / 27 inches in length. Horns in males may grow to 65 cm / 26 inches long.

Other Common Names: Common Eland

Size:

Range: Primarily South Africa plus southern Botswana, Mozambique, and Namibia; year around.

Natural History: The common eland is most active in the morning and late afternoon, lying sheltered in the heat of the day. A very gregarious species, the common eland is always found in large herds, with no dispersion during the rainy season. A possible explanation for this is the strong mutual attraction by calves, and a "safety-in-numbers" strategy. Elands are remarkably fast, have have been recorded running over 70 kmph / 42 mph. Despite their size, they exceptional jumpers, easily clearing heights of 1.5 m / 5 feet. Home range sizes vary dramatically with respect to sex and season. In the dry season, males used an average of 11.7 square kilometers out of their 41.1 square kilometer total range. Female herds had a dry season range of 26.1 square kilometers, while in the wet season this expanded to 222.0 square kilometers. There is no exclusive use of space or evidence for territoriality, but adult males within a maternal herds have a distinct social hierarchy.

Hunting Characteristics: