93 NYALA Tragelaphus angasii Description Ram overall slate-grey to dark brown, with fringe of long dark hair from just behind chin to between hind legs. A longish mane of mainly light coloured hair extends from back of head to rump and is erectile. Rump and upperparts of hind legs covered with long hair. Eight to 14 narrow vertical white stripes located on each side, but usually fade as animal ages. Above the white chevron that runs between the eyes there is a dark chestnut-coloured patch. Lower legs bright reddish-brown. Only rams carry the long, lightly spiralled and white- tipped horns. Ewe has a short, smooth coat that is overall yellow-brown or chestnut with up to 18 vertical white lines on each side. Neck, head and lower legs somewhat paler than rest of body. Distribution Patchily in south-eastern Africa as far north as southern Malawi. Offered as a trophy mainly in South Africa and Mozambique. In South Africa it has been widely introduced outside its natural range, and there are introduced populations in Namibia on hunting farms and there has been spread into south-eastern Botswana. Conservation standing Greatly declined in Malawi and south- eastern Zimbabwe, but still common in scattered populations in the two countries where it is huntable. South Africa has >30,000 animals, but prospects good for major recovery in Mozambique. Habitats Restricted to dry savanna woodland and along watercourses with open to dense thicket. Rarely moves far from cover. Behaviour Rams do not hold territories, but rely on elaborate intimidation and dominance display with raised back mane and exaggerated slow, stiff walk. May be seen in mixed groups, nursery herds of ewes and young, small bachelor groups and solitary rams. Group composition is fluid with animals coming and going on a regular basis, although nursery groups are more stable. Sometimes dozens of animals may gather at drinking points, or where there has been fresh vegetation growth. Home ranges are small, ranging from just over half a km 2 (124 acres) to about 4 km 2 (988 acres). Food Mixed feeders taking browse and grazing, with grasses being most important during the rains. German: Nyala French: Nyala Spanish: Niala Measurements Total length: Male 1,9 – 2,4 m (6.2‘ – 7.9‘) Female 1,7 – 1,9 m (5.6‘ – 6.2‘) Tail: Male 43 cm (17”) Female 36 cm (14”) Shoulder Height: Male 1.2 m (3.9‘) Female 97 cm (3.2‘) Weight: Male 108 kg (238 lb) Female 62 kg (137 lb) Shot placement Nyala Nyala Breeding Mating season: Throughout the year; birth peaks August – December and May Gestation: About 220 days Number of young: 1 Birth weight: 4.2 – 5.5 kg (9.3 – 12.1 lb) Sexual maturity: Male at 12 months but first mate > 5 years; Female 20 – 36 months An unusual horned female with her fawn Rifles and Ammunition Suggested Calibre: .264 - .308. Bullet: Expanding bullet. Sights: Medium-range variable scope. Hunting Conditions: Expect close to medium-range shots in thick cover. Right front, 57 mm (2.2”) Right back, 53 mm (2.1”)

Nyala...93 NYALA Tragelaphus angasii Description Ram overall slate-grey to dark brown, with fringe of long dark hair from just behind chin to between hind legs. A longish mane of mainly

Download PDF Report

Upload
others
View
4
Download
0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

NYALA Tragelaphus angasii

DescriptionRam overall slate-grey to dark brown, with fringe of long dark hair from just behind chin to between hind legs. A longish mane of mainly light coloured hair extends from back of head to rump and is erectile. Rump and upperparts of hind legs covered with long hair. Eight to 14 narrow vertical white stripes located on each side, but usually fade as animal ages. Above the white chevron that runs between the eyes there is a dark chestnut-coloured patch. Lower legs bright reddish-brown. Only rams carry the long, lightly spiralled and white-tipped horns. Ewe has a short, smooth coat that is overall yellow-brown or chestnut with up to 18 vertical white lines on each side. Neck, head and lower legs somewhat paler than rest of body.

DistributionPatchily in south-eastern Africa as far north as southern Malawi. Offered as a trophy mainly in South Africa and Mozambique. In South Africa it has been widely introduced outside its natural range, and there are introduced

populations in Namibia on hunting farms and there has been spread into south-eastern Botswana.

Conservation standingGreatly declined in Malawi and south-eastern Zimbabwe, but still common in scattered populations in the two countries where it is huntable. South Africa has >30,000 animals, but prospects good for major recovery in Mozambique.

HabitatsRestricted to dry savanna woodland and along watercourses with open to dense thicket. Rarely moves far from cover.

BehaviourRams do not hold territories, but rely on elaborate intimidation and dominance display with raised back mane and exaggerated slow, stiff walk. May be seen in mixed groups, nursery herds of ewes and young, small bachelor groups and solitary rams. Group composition is fluid with animals coming and going on a regular basis, although nursery groups are more stable. Sometimes dozens of animals may gather at drinking points, or where there has been fresh vegetation growth. Home ranges are small, ranging from just over half a km2 (124 acres) to about 4 km2 (988 acres).

FoodMixed feeders taking browse and grazing, with grasses being most important during the rains.

German: Nyala French: NyalaSpanish: Niala

MeasurementsTotal length: Male 1,9 – 2,4 m (6.2‘ – 7.9‘) Female 1,7 – 1,9 m (5.6‘ – 6.2‘)

Tail: Male 43 cm (17”) Female 36 cm (14”)

Shoulder Height: Male 1.2 m (3.9‘) Female 97 cm (3.2‘)

Weight: Male 108 kg (238 lb) Female 62 kg (137 lb)

Shot placement

Nyala

BreedingMating season: Throughout the year; birth peaks August – December and May

Gestation: About 220 days

Number of young: 1

Birth weight: 4.2 – 5.5 kg (9.3 – 12.1 lb)

Sexual maturity: Male at 12 months but first mate > 5 years; Female 20 – 36 months

An unusual horned female with her fawn

Rifles and AmmunitionSuggested Calibre: .264 - .308.Bullet: Expanding bullet.Sights: Medium-range variable scope.Hunting Conditions: Expect close to medium-range shots in thick cover.

Right front, 57 mm (2.2”) Right back, 53 mm (2.1”)