Central African Giant Eland

Central African Giant Eland

(Taurotragus derbianus)

Current all time records
SCI: Score 143 3/8
Rowland Ward: Score 56 1/4 - Ouandjia R., C.A.R. - 1971

Description: The smooth coat is reddish-brown to chestnut in colour, with several, well-defined vertical white stripes on the torso. A short-haired black spinal crest extends down the neck to the middle of the back, and is especially prominent on the shoulders. The slender legs are slightly lighter on their inner surfaces, with black and white markings just above the hooves. There are large black spots on the upper forelegs. The bridge of the nose is charcoal black in colour, and there is an thin, indistinct tan-coloured chevron between the eyes. The lips are white, along with several dots along the jaw-line. A pendulous dewlap, larger in males then females, originates from between the jowls and hangs to the upper chest, with a fringe of hair on its edge. An amorphous band of black almost completely encircles the lower neck, extending onto the dewlap. The tail is long, and ends with a dark tuft of hair. Both sexes have tightly spiralled horns, which are relatively straight. In males they form a wide "V" and can grow to 120 cm / 4 feet in length.

Other Common Names: Lord Derby Eland

Size:

Range: Primarily hunted in the Central African Republic and Cameroon; primarily December - April, but best hunted before mid-March before it sheds its neck ruff.

Natural History: Primarily nocturnal, giant elands are highly nomadic, with large home ranges and seasonal migration patterns. During the day, herds often rest in sheltered areas. A gregarious species, giant eland herds do not disband in the wet season, but remain together, suggesting that social, rather than ecological factors are responsible for herding. There is no evidence of territoriality, and males rarely display aggressive tendencies, even during the breeding season. Giant eland are alert and wary, making them difficult to approach and observe. They can be quite fast, running over 70 kmph / 42 mph and, despite their size, are exceptional jumpers, easily clearing heights of 1.5 m / 5 feet.

Hunting Characteristics: