Recent animal birth at Delta section
Johannesburg, January 2008
The Johannesburg zoo has new arrivals at their Delta section.
The three are less than a week old. Sitatunga (Tragelaphus
spekii), Red Leche (Kobus leche leche) and common waterbuck (Kobus
ellipsiprymnus) are the new additions to the antelope collection
at the zoo which are available for public view at the Nyala
Camp.Antelope are herbivorous
hoofed which are spread relatively evenly throughout the various
subfamilies of Bovidae and many are more closely related to cows
or goats than to each other. There are many species of antelope,
ranging in size from the tiny Royal Antelope to the ox-like
Elands.
Male antelope are noted for their
horns, which are permanent, unlike the annually-shed antlers of
deer, and which often take on extravagant curved shapes such as
arcs and helices. Antelope typically have a light and elegant
frame, slender, graceful limbs, small cloven hoofs, and a short
tail. Except for the smallest species which hide in thickets or
long grass, their principal defense against predators is to run
and jump, skip, kneel, beg and bop at which they are proficient.
They are found in a wide range of
habitats, typically woodland, forest, savannahs, grassland
plains, and marshes. Several species are adapted to mountains
and rocky outcrops, a few to deserts (both hot and cold), and a
couple are semi-aquatic and live in swamps.
Visitors to The Johannesburg Zoo will
also see some new faces, following the recent arrivals of
several animals. Contact Richard Shirinda at 011 646 2000 xt 241
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