Kalahari Gemsbok | Online Record Book Preview

Oryx gazella gazella

Orix gris (Sp), Südafrikanischer Spiessbok (G), Gemsbok (Sp), Gemsbok (Af).

DESCRIPTION The Kalahari gemsbok is a very handsome animal, the most strikingly marked of all oryx. Overall color is a pale fawn gray. There are black stripes on throat and spine, a wide black band on the flanks, and black rump patch and thighs. Black facial stripes join the black band that encircles the muzzle. The ears are rather large and rounded. The horns are very long (longest of this species) and diverge rather widely at the tips, although this feature varies with the individual. Females are similar to males, but smaller, with horns that are sometimes slightly curved and more parallel.

DISTRIBUTION Most of Namibia, the Kalahari region of Botswana, the extreme western tip of Zimbabwe, and South Africa. For record keeping purposes, we have separated  those in Namibia from those in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and RSA.

The original South African distribution was in dry areas of the western Transvaal and in the Cape as far south as the Karoo; however, these populations were largely shot out by early European settlers. In recent years, gemsbok have been widely introduced and reintroduced in protected areas and on private ranches throughout South Africa wherever conditions are suitable. The Kalahari Gemsbok is also being raised throughout South Africa on private ranches.

REMARKS Nearly all gemsbok hunting in Namibia and South Africa is on private ranches. This does not necessarily mean these animals are easier to hunt than the unfenced gemsbok of Botswana-in fact, the opposite can be true. Ranch animals are often heavily hunted, whereas many gemsbok in the vast Kalahari may seldom, if ever, see a hunter and, as a result, may be easier to approach.