Senga Puku
- Kobus vardonii senganus
- IUCN Status: Near Threatened
- Trend: decreasing
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Artiodactyla
- Family: Bovidae
- Genus: Kobus
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General Information
The Senga Puku is one of two subspecies of Puku. It can be found in Zambia, Tanzania and the DRC unlike the southern puku which can be found in Botswana.
Description
A medium sized antelope. The senga puku is sandy brown in colour, with the underbelly a slightly lighter brown. They have rougher coats than similar sized antelopes. Males have 50-cm-long, ridge-structured horns which are lyre-shaped- Shoulder height: 80 cm
- Weight: 70 to 80 kg
Ecology & Behaviour
They move in herds of up to thirty or so. When scared, puku repeat a shrill whistle sound. They have a flexible grassy diet and are active in the early morning and late afternoon. During the rainy season, herds will come together for added safety.
Conservation
It is listed as “Near threatened” by the IUCN red list. Nearly one-third of all puku are found in protected areas, zoos, and national parks due to their diminishing habitat.
Distribution & Habitat
They prefer marsh habitats and can be found in the luangwa valley, kafue national park. They can also be found in DRC, Tanzania and botswana. In the wet season, due to large floods in their habitat they migrate to a higher elevation and in the dry season remain near water.
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