Hirola have large, dark sub-orbital glands used for marking their territories and give them the name "four-eyed antelope". Nursery herds are relatively stable but bachelor herds are very unstable with a fission fusion dynamic. [30] They favour grasses with a high leaf to stem ratio and Chloris and Digiatta species are believed to be important in their diet. Collins: London. Gnusletter 15: 2–5. Population and habitat assessment of the Critically Endangered hirola. In 1963 a small population of about 20 individuals were introduced into the Tsavo East National Park from the South Garissa District. Another barrier to conservation is the neglect of this region by the government. offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) [13][36], The Hirola prefers areas that are used by livestock which puts them at increased risk from diseases like tuberculosis. [30], Female hirola give birth alone and may remain separate from the herd for up to two months, making them vulnerable to predation. They are usually accompanied by an adult male. gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate), post-independence association with parents, The Kingon Field Guide to African Mammals, The Mammals of Africa An Identfication Manual, Walker's Mammals of the World Sixth Edition Volume II, antelopes, cattle, gazelles, goats, sheep, and relatives, http://www.kenya-wildlift-service.org/andanje.htm, http://www.ultimateungulate.com/hirola.html, http://www.animalinfo.org/species/artiperi/damahunt.html, © 2020 Regents of the University of Michigan. Thomas, H., Coppens, Y., Thibault. 287. [29][30], Adult males attempt to secure a territory on good pasture. King, J., Craig, I., Golicha, M., Sheikh, M., Lesowapir, S., Letoiye, D., Lesimirdana, D., and Worden, J. Smielowski, J. [8], The hirola is a medium-sized antelope, tan to rufous-tawny in colour with slightly lighter under parts, predominantly white inner ears and a white tail which extends down to the hocks. 195–227. In January 2010, Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy (IHCC), was funded by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service and USAID-Kenya, to conduct a survey to estimate the remaining population of this species in its natural range. Due to the lack of protection, they are also still very vulnerable to poaching. Help us improve the site by taking our survey. They were discovered by Kenyans living in the area in 1888 It is the only extant member of the genus Beatragus. Hirola are critically endangered antelopes that are found in eastern Africa. They are usually accompanied by an adult male. They avoid Coke’s hartebeest, buffalo and elephant. 195–227. In captivity, the average lifespan of hirola is 10.2 years. New York: McGraw-Hill. They are the sole member of their genus, Beatragus, they come from the larger family of Bovidae; which include sheep, buffalo, cows and antelopes. (1987) A note on the reproductive biology of the Hunter's antelope or hirola (. doi:10.1017/S0030605313000902. It is not stated whether horn length was measured direct from base to tip or along the curve of the horn. (1970) A Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa. Required fields are marked *, Its nature offers you interesting information and facts on the natural world. New York: McGraw-Hill. Language, religious and ethnic differences between conservationists and the Somalis living in Eastern Kenya, have led to suspicion and mistrust. Hirola have large, dark sub-orbital glands used for marking their territories and give them the name "four-eyed antelope". Oryx, available on CJO2014. The female Hirola reach sexual maturity at around the age of 2 or 3 with males reaching sexual maturity a little later at around 4 or 5 when they are strong enough to compete with other males for the mature females. They also act as important prey species for large predators. Springer-Verlag: New York. Conservation efforts have been underway for this species since 1963 when they were reported to be threatened. Academic Press: New York. Their habitats range from open grassland with light bush to wooded savannahs with low shrubs and scattered trees, most often on sandy soils. Logan, USA: Utah State University. Oxford University Press, Oxford. [30] It has been suggested that at low population densities adult males abandon territory defence and will instead follow a nursery herd. These antelopes have very sharp horns which are ridged along three-quarters of their length. Meester, J., H. Setzer. Nursery herds number from 5 to 40 although the mean herd size is 7-9. Anothetr defining feature of the Hirola is their horns which are prominent in both males and females of the species. The Hirola are active throughout the day and prefer a habitat of grassland plains. The following are maximum and minimum values taken from all sources: height at the shoulder: 99–125 cm, body weight: 73–118 kg, head and body length: 120–200 cm, horn length: 44–72 cm, horn spread (greatest outside width): 15–32 cm, tail length: 30–45 cm, ear length: 19 cm. Northern Rangelands Trust and Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy, Kenya. As hirola age their coat darkens towards a slate grey and the number of ridges along their horns increases. Walther, F. R. (1990) Hartebeests, Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals. [14], When it was first described the hirola was given the common name Hunter's hartebeest. September 13, 2001 Nursery herds are relatively stable but bachelor herds are very unstable with a fission fusion dynamic. Eight months later a further 29 translocated hirola were released in to Tsavo, at least six of which were pregnant at the time (Andanje, 1997). Their selectivity creates a need to follow the progress of newly sprouting grasses on the savannah and grasslands. When males defend their harem or their territory they drop to their knees in a serious fight with the opponent and sometimes such fights become very fierce. This small population is found within its native range, restricted to communal lands along the Kenya-Somalia border with no formal protection. They have white spectacles around their eyes and an inverted white chevron running between the eyes. It’s tawny or tan brown in colour and has long, sharp horns. These areas have been volatile since independence due to banditry activities from across the border and conservationists have shied away from these areas. [14], Hirola are primarily grazers but browse may be important in the dry season. 287. It has very sharp, lyrate horns which lack a basal pedicle and are ridged along three quarters of their length. Ecological Aspects of Social Evolution. (Andanje, 2001; Kingdon, 1997). In the Garissa area, hirola are preyed on by lions and hunting dogs, while in the Tsavo region, they are preyed on by cheetahs and lions. This material is based upon work supported by the The 1963 translocation released 30 animals and the first survey in December 1995 and concluded that there were at least 76 hirola present in Tsavo at the time. Kumamoto, A. T., Charter, S. J., Houk, M. L. and Frahm, M. (1996) Chromosomes of the Damaliscus (Artiodactyla, Bovidae): Simple and complex centric fusion rearrangements. (1997) Hirola monitoring progress report: update analysis of animal movement, location and herding. See also Tropical savanna and grassland biome. Eight months later a further 29 translocated hirola were released in to Tsavo, at least six of which were pregnant at the time (Andanje, 1997).

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