The Bedford Estates, London
Overview
The blesbok is a medium-sized antelope, found in Southern Africa. They get their name from the Afrikaans word 'bles' which refers to the distinctive white stripe down their face.
All about us
| Distribution: | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Habitat: | Open grassland |
| Height: | 85 - 100cm |
| Weight: | 55 - 80kg |
| Gestation Period: | 8 months |
| Lifespan: | 20 years |
| Threats: | Predators such as big cats and hyenas. Habitat change due to agriculture. Hunting. |
About Us
Scientific name: Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi
The herd of blesbok antelope at Woburn Safari Park can be found in the Giraffe Junction section of the Road Safari, where they live alongside the Rothschild's giraffe herd. Keep an eye out for Yaki - she's got a distinctive wonky horn!
Blesbok are a medium-sized antelope with a broad white stripe down their face. They are largely brown with a lighter colouring on their back and rump. The top of their legs are brown while their lower legs are whitish. Both the males and females have horns, which are ringed almost all the way to the tip, and can be up to 38cm long!
The blesbok antelope is a grazer and largely feeds on short grass. As a result, blesbok migrate each season towards areas that are rich in grass.
Blesbok live in mixed herds and bachelor herds. The bulls are territorial and often display dominance by strutting around and sparring with other rams.
They are particularly active in the early mornings and late afternoons. They rest in shadier spots during the hottest part of the day.
Blesbok reach sexual maturity at two and a half years old. Mating season takes place from March to May.
The gestation period is around 8 months long and females give birth to one baby. Most babies are born during the rainy season when the food is abundant.
Unlike many other species of antelope, which hide their young in the undergrowth, blesbok give birth to one calf which then stays alongside its mother at all times. They are able to walk within half an hour of being born and are weaned at about four months old.
Blesbok could once be found in huge numbers in South Africa. Overhunting reduced the number of blesbok to around 2,000 by the late 19th century. Today blesbok are protected and a majority now live on private farmland, so the species has since made an impressive recovery.
Sadly the blesbok is still one of the most hunted antelope species in South Africa, as they are hunted for meat and biltong.
Blesbok are a small relative of the wildebeest.
The blesbok can run at speeds of around 40mph when it needs to escape from a predator.
