Kobus vardonii

Kobus vardonii (scientific name: Puku) has two subspecies.

Territory is established by male Kobus vardonii. Territory size depends on the number of territorial males in the area and the availability of suitable habitat resources. Single males form their own groups, and females tend to be seen in small groups of 6-20. Small groups of females are unstable because the members are constantly changing. The territorial male rubs his horns on the grass, soaking the grass with neck secretions. These secretions warn hostile males not to enter the territory of another male. If a single male is in the territory of a territorial male, then the single male will be chased away. If it is another territorial male, then he will try to scare off the other male by shaking his head rapidly and using visual communication. If the opposing male does not run away, a fight will occur. Males fight with their horns. In the process of fighting for territory, horn clashes occur between two males. The winner gets to keep the territory. Confrontations occur significantly more between two territorial males than between a territorial male and a single male. Chases usually occur between territorial males and single males. These chases occur even if the single male does not show any aggressive behavior towards the territorial male.

The Waterbuck usually feeds in the early morning and late evening. They travel together, graze and sleep together. Territorial males will maintain their territories throughout the year. To protect their territories, these solitary males will emit 3-4 whistles to warn other males to stay away. This whistle is also used as a way to show love to females. Waterbucks mainly communicate through whistling. Regardless of sex or age, they will whistle to warn other predators of their approach. Young antelopes will whistle to attract the attention of their mothers.

Waterbucks prefer to eat plants that are high in crude protein. They eat a variety of perennial grasses, which vary according to the season. Eragrostis rigidior is the main food grass because it contains a lot of crude protein. As grass matures, the amount of crude protein decreases, and the waterbuck will switch to other plants for protein. In March, 92% of their diet comes from Brachiaria latifolia, but this is to make up for the vitamin E. Brachiaria latifolia has a crude protein content of about 5%. Waterbucks eat more of this grass than other antelopes, which is high in protein but low in crude fiber.

The Wadsworth waterbuck can breed year-round, but is more sexually active after the first heavy rains of the wet season. Territorial males are polygynous and will drive females into their territories. However, there is evidence that females choose their mates. Occasionally, single males are allowed into mating territories. Although breeding is possible year-round, the breeding period is closely tied to seasonal changes. Most mating occurs between May and September to ensure that the offspring are born during the rainy season. The amount of rainfall during this season varies from year to year; most young are born between January and April, when feed is most abundant. Each female can produce one young per breeding season. Young are difficult to find because they are "hiders," meaning that females leave them alone in a hidden place rather than wandering around with them. The rainy season provides high-quality forage for females to support their lactation, and dense vegetation helps provide cover for the hidden young. The gestation period lasts eight months, and the young are weaned after six months. Older young emerge from hiding and join the herd. The Waldensian Waterbuck reaches sexual maturity at 12-14 months.

The total population of Waldensian Waterbuck, as counted in 1999, was estimated at 130,000. An aerial survey of the Kilombero Valley, which contains Africa's largest population of Warwickshire Waterbuck, used two complementary methods to assess population size. When the survey was conducted using the same methods as previous counts, the population was estimated to be between 23,301±5,602, a significant decrease from previous estimates of 55,769±19,428 in 1989 and 66,964±12,629 in 1998. However, in 2013, a more intensive survey was conducted (using 2.5 km transect spacing instead of 10 km) to count Warwickshire Waterbuck specifically, which resulted in a total estimate of 42,352±5,927. These figures indicate a 37% decline in Warwickshire Waterbuck in a period (15 years) equivalent to less than three generations (19 years).

Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2016 ver3.1 - Near Threatened (NT).

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The Waldner's Waterbuck is mainly found between 0-20 degrees south of the equator and between 20-40 degrees east of the prime meridian. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Katanga, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia. The population in Tanzania is estimated at 54,600, and in Zambia at 21,000. Nearly two-thirds of the species live in the Kilombero Valley in Tanzania. Due to shrinking habitat, many Waldner's Waterbucks have been relocated to national parks. Nearly one-third of the species' population lives in protected areas.
Occupies grasslands near permanent water within savannah woodlands and floodplains in south-central Africa. Although associated with wet areas and swamp vegetation, Waldner's Waterbuck avoids areas with deep standing water. Found in grasslands, savannas, and river floodplains, seasonal changes in temperature and precipitation affect its mating and movements. For example, during the rainy season, the species tends to move to higher altitudes due to flood

The Waldenbok is a medium-sized antelope. Head-body length is 126-160 cm, shoulder height is 90 cm, tail length is 30 cm; weight: males 67-91 kg, females 48-78 kg. Mature males have particularly thick necks and well-developed muscles. The coarse coat is golden brown, and the underparts are pale. Sexual dimorphism is present, with males larger than females, and females significantly smaller in weight. Only males have horns, which are lyre-shaped, strongly ridged for two-thirds of their length, and smooth at the tip. When viewed from the side, the horns are turned up shortly after they rise from the skull, and have deep rings at the base of the horns. The average horn length is about 40 cm, but lengths of up to 52.7 cm have been known.
Waldenbok have small facial glands. The average neck circumference of territorial males is significantly larger than that of single males. Territorial and single males can be identified by glandular secretions in the neck. Territorial males secrete more