The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) are sparsely populated in most areas due to declining habitat, deforestation, and poaching.#ConservationTuesday

-


Greater kudus have both benefited and suffered from interaction with humans. Humans are turning much of the kudu's natural habitat into farmland, restricting their home ranges. Humans have also destroyed woodland cover, which they use for their habitat. However, wells and irrigation set up by humans has also allowed the greater kudu to occupy territory that would have been too devoid of water for them previously.

The greater kudu are also a target for poachers for meat and horns. The horns of greater kudus are commonly used to make Shofars, a Jewish ritual horn blown at Rosh Hashanah.

The traditional sport of Kudu dung-spitting (Bokdrol Spoeg in Afrikaans) is practiced in the South African Afrikaner community. The winner is the contestant who is able to spit one of the antelope’s small, hard dung pellets the furthest – with the distance measured to where it comes to rest.

 An annual world championship was launched in 1994, with contests held at community events, game festivals and tourism shows. The world record stands at 15.56m, set in 2006 by Shaun van Rensburg Addo.

Kudu are highly alert and notoriously hard to approach. When they detect danger – often using their large, radar-like ears – they give a hoarse alarm bark, then flee with a distinctive, rocking-horse running motion, the male laying back his horns to avoid overhead obstructions.

Kudus have a ‘near threatened conservation status’ according the African Wildlife Foundation.

Contact us at info@africanbushtraining.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

STUDY WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

-
Image
    To succeed as global custodians and future stewards of our planet; conservationists and supporters of wildlife conservation should be well-versed in the underlying principles of natural ecosystems and the 'wilderness' concept...   Through training and educational programs focused on conservation and wildlife management knowledge, African Bush Training in partnership with the International Students Conservation Initiative (ISCI) provides ways to create a lasting base of environmental literacy, stewardship, and competency for people working in conservation.  The ISCI accredited courses introduces participants to the most up-to-date, in-field conservation techniques and practices. The six week full-time programme or one week short-course selection (6 courses), provides a stepping stone for nature lovers looking to possibly pursue a career in wildlife conservation, or are interested in how conservation organisations operate.  AFRICAN BUSH TRAINING  www.abt-edu.com   info@africa
Read more

Black Mambas use their incredible speed to escape threats, not to hunt prey. #ReptileMonday

-
Image
Learn more at https://abt-edu.com Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) - © Johan Marais Classification: VERY DANGEROUS This is by far the largest venomous snake in Africa with a maximum length of 4.5 m (specimens over 3.8 m are rare). Despite its reputation it is a shy, elusive snake that is quick to escape but will not hesitate to strike repeatedly if cornered. It is active during the day, often basking near a hole in an anthill or large rock crevice where it quickly disappears into if disturbed. When threatened it will gape exposing the black inner lining of the mouth and it may form a narrow hood. The venom of this snake is potently neurotoxic and may cause difficulty with breathing within half an hour. Symptoms include a numbness of the lips, slurred speech, ptosis and progressive weakness. Antivenom is effective but often required in large quantities (10 – 15 vials). They get their name not from their skin color, which tends to be olive to gray, but rather from the blue-bla
Read more

The purple-crested turaco (Tauraco porphyreolophus) is a species of bird in the family Musophagidae.

-
Image
  Learn more at https:abt-edu.com The purple-crested turaco (Tauraco porphyreolophus) is a species of bird in the family Musophagidae. It clambers acrobatically through riverine woodland and savanna thickets. In flight it explodes from the canopy with distinctive deep red panels in the wings. It produces a distinctive croaking “khoh-khoh-khoh-khoh….” that gets progressively louder before suddenly stopping. The Purple-crested Turaco is a fruit-eater. Its glossy and colourful plumage makes this bird very attractive for humans. Turacos have been hunted in the past for their beautiful red flight feathers used as adornments by African people. Today, this species has adapted to suburban life, especially in Durban. The Purple-crested Turaco is frugivorous and feeds on fruits from numerous plant species. It forages in canopy, picking the fruits by perching at the end of the branches. This bird does not feed on the ground, except in captivity. The small fruits are swallowed whole, whereas
Read more