Common tsessebe

The common tsessebe, also known as the sassaby, is a distinctive African antelope belonging to the genus Damaliscus. They share close ties with other antelopes such as the topi, korrigum, coastal topi, tiang, bangweulu tsessebe, and bontebok. These remarkable creatures can be found in countries including Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and South Africa. Renowned for their astounding speed, tsessebe are the fastest antelope in Africa, capable of running at speeds exceeding 90 km/h.

Adult tsessebe are substantially sized, with males weighing around 137 kg and females about 120 kg. They measure between 150 to 230 cm in length. Their distinctive appearance includes chestnut-brown bodies, black faces, tail tufts, and forelimbs, as well as various colorations on their limbs and bellies. In the wild, tsessebe can live up to 15 years. However, factors such as overhunting and habitat destruction have shortened their lifespan in some regions.

Tsessebe are social animals. Female tsessebe form herds with their young, while males join bachelor herds after they turn a year old. Adult males also form herds, especially during lek formation. They display various territorial behaviors such as high-stepping, defecating, ground-horning, mudpacking, and shoulder-wiping. As grazing herbivores, tsessebe thrive in grasslands, open plains, and savannas. They travel up to 5 km to find water, often avoiding predators like lions and leopards.

When it comes to breeding, tsessebe typically have one calf per mating pair each year. Calves reach sexual maturity in about two to three and a half years. The breeding process involves leks, where male congregations attract females for mating. The most dominant males occupy the center of the lek, providing protection, resources, and a wider choice of mates for females. However, maintaining this central territory can be risky and may result in injuries for the males.

In 1998, tsessebe were considered at low risk of extinction. However, due to habitat destruction, their population has been declining, raising concerns about their future. The IUCN Species Survival Commission warns that if this decline continues, tsessebe populations could become vulnerable to extinction by 2025.