Blesbok

Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi

General Description

Scientific Name: Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi

Subspecies: no subspecies

Status: Least Concern (increasing)

Overall Estimated Population: 55,000-150,000

Population Under Assessment: 65

Diet: Herbivore - Grazer

Male Weight: 60-80 kg

Female Weigh: 55-70 kg

Trophy Size: 40 inches

Generation Length: 7.1 years

Reproductive season: march to may

Time of activity: Diurnal

Description: Males average 70 kg (max 85) whilst females are smaller and lighter built, averaging 61kg. Height varies between 85-100cm, and horn length of 20-50 cm. Whilst both sexes have horns, females have smaller and thinner horns than males. Blesbok usually have relatively dark dorsal pelage contrasts sharply with high, white stockings and buttocks, though the white color morph, historically uncommon, has become more common due to game farming throughout much of it's range.

Ecology: Primarily a diurnal grazer, but will browse on fresh green vegetation when available, or if other food sources are absent. Blesbok eat primarily red oat grass (Themeda), but also eat grasses in the genera Eragostis and Chlormelas. Generally, blesbok will avoid densely wooded habitats, though some introduced populations may occur in these habitats on game farms.

Historically Blesbok where nomadic, migrating among seasonal pastures and forming large herds in fall and winter. Where they are housed in large enough areas they continue to display a semi-nomadic pattern of movement, traveling throughout available range in loose groups. Blesbok were once a key prey species for native carnivores such as Lions, leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas and African Wild Dogs, with calves also being taken by jackals, smaller wildcats such as Caracals & Servals, as well as Brown Hyenas.

Behavior: Herds occupy small ranges of between 2.5-6.0 acres, and congregate in herds, usually between 5-100 in size, though larger herds of 1,000 and above have been recorded. Herds are loosely structured and membership is unstable but adult males do defend females and young in harem troops year round. Bontebok and blesbok have been observed grunting and snorting, which is used as an alarm response

Blesbok are often found in association with Black Wildebeest, Burchell’s Zebra, Red Hartebeest, Springbok, Gemsbok & Cape Eland.

Behavior: Blesbok breed seasonally, with rutting commencing between march to may. Males will defend small territories from other males and gather harems of females to breed with. After a 240-day gestation period, blesbok ewes will give birth to a single calf (sometimes two), that will accompany it’s mother for at least 7-10 months, before becoming independent. Breeding success is high when blesbok can gather in large herds, as well as when grassland habitat is kept intact, and Jackal numbers do not exceed natural levels.

Conservation Analysis

Current & Historic range: the blesbok is currently found in much of it's historic range, in eastern and central South Africa, with higher populations in the Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and eastern northern cape. Populations have also been introduced to Namibia, where it is uncertain whether they ever occurred there naturally.

Current & Historic Populations: Blesbok numbers prior to European colonization where much higher than they currently are today, likely in the order of tens of millions, though no precise estimates have been made. Widespread overhunting for the hide and meat trade decimated these large herds, leaving just 2,000 individuals by the end of the 19th century. Efforts to increase numbers have been largely successful over the past century, largely due to conservation success on protected reserves and game farms. Estimates for the blesboks total population varies greatly, between 54,000 - 150,000 individuals, largely depending on whether hybrids between Blesbok & Bontebok are included in these counts. Populations are following an upwards trend, especially on game farms, where the demand for them as a huntable species is increasing. That being said, free ranging populations are still rare, largely due to a lack of preservation of unfenced landscapes.

Map of Blesbok Distribution:

*Blesbok range indicated in purple. They may have occurred naturally outside of that range as well

Threats to Species Survival: Populations of blesbok are rising across south Africa and beyond, so it is highly likely that this species will keep its Least Concern status for the foreseeable future. Poaching does occur in some areas of its range, but it’s relatively fast reproductive capacity and large range affords it protection from this. At the periphery of its range, it does hybridise regularly with the far less common Bontebok, which can cause conservation concerns for the latter species. But it is also highly likely that hybridisation between these two species was common throughout history, and areas of overlapping range would have been occupied by both hybrids and pure individuals of both species.

Recommended Conservation Actions:

Continued range and population expansion using game farming and private reserves as habitat. Increasing herd sizes will increase it’s ability to reproduce successfully.
Further expansion onto small holding private property without high fences, such as cattle farms, where the blesbok are used as a source of revenue and sustenance for local peoples.
The creation of a “buffer zone” between the blesbok and bontebok historical ranges, where hybrids of the two species are allowed to persist, whilst keeping the core ranges of both subspecies separate from each other.

Economic & Cultural Analysis

Ecotourism Value: Low-moderate

Hunting Value: High

Meat Value: High

Average Trophy Value: $400-800 USD

Meat Yield per Animal: 33-41 kg

Economic Value/Impacts: Blesbok have greatly benefited from hunting and ecotourism activities across south Africa, being one of the most common antelope species on game farms and reserves throughout their native range. Through they do compete with domestic livestock like cattle, goats and sheep, their small-medium size and their poor jumping ability (allowing them to be kept in one area by a simple cattle fence) means that many landowners encourage their presence. Trophy Blesbok can be sold to international hunters for around $400-800 USD, with white Blesbok often fetching a higher price. The meat of blesbok is highly palatable, and has potential to serve as a low carbon, environmentally friendly alternative to domestic meats such as beef, goat & lamb. The trophy hunting industry has also greatly increased the number of white blesbok, especially within game farms. Though this color is natural (historically very rare), it's unknown whether it negatively effects the survival of individuals. This is something that needs further investigation regarding the conservation implications of increasing the occurrence of colour morphs.

Cultural Value: Blesbok have long been hunted by the native peoples of southern Africa, as well as the European settlers that first arrived in the 15th century. Their meat, which is lean, rich in flavor, and highly nutritious, was sought out by early colonists, as well as their valuable hides. Whilst the hide trade is much less prominent today, may international and local hunters still pursue this species as a staple quarry, both in the pursuit of trophies, and for their own sustenance.

Back to Ungulates