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Waterbuck
"Nile lechwe live in wet areas. Their hooves enable them to move easily through mud, and their greasy coat makes them good swimmers. During the wet season, they live in scattered groups, but in the dry season they gather near water. They rest on dry banks or sandbanks and, when danger threatens, quickly flee into the water."
Discover in real lifeHabitat:
wetlands in Sudan and Ethiopia
Food:
grasses and marsh plants
Lifespan:
10–15 years
Weight:
male: 90–120 kg; female: 60–90 kg
Number of young:
1 young
Gestation period:
8 months
To be seen:
along the walking safari
IUCN status:
endangered
EEP:
yes
About the Nile lechwe
The Nile lechwe (Kobus megaceros) is a rare antelope found in the marshlands of southern Sudan and Ethiopia. It feeds on grasses and marsh plants and, after a gestation period of around eight months, usually gives birth to a single calf. As the species inhabits a small and vulnerable habitat, climate change, the drying up of marshes and habitat loss pose major threats. Consequently, the Nile antelop is listed as 'Endagered' on the IUCN Red List, and Beekse Bergen is participating in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) to help conserve this remarkable species.
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Habitat and threats
The Nile lechwe inhabits marshlands and wet grasslands in countries including Sudan and Ethiopia. This habitat is under increasing pressure from agriculture, drainage and infrastructure development, which is reducing the space available to the species. Hunting and disturbance by humans also pose a threat. Consequently, the Nile lechwe is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.
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Species conservation in Beekse Bergen
Did you know that more than 10,000 animal species in the world are in danger of extinction? Beekse Bergen works with about 325 European zoos to conserve these species. Through management programs (EEPs)we ensure healthy reserve populations. Together, we form the European Association of Zoos (EAZA).
The Nile lechwe at Beekse Bergen are also part of an EEP. A coordinator maintains a pedigree of the species and manages the population in zoos. Together with a committee, the coordinator gives advice on which animals are allowed to have cubs together. Sometimes that means moving a Nile lechwe to another zoo. This way we increase the chance of healthy cubs and the survival of the species. You can recognize animal species with an EEP by the logo of a rhino with a calf.