Common Tsessebe

Damaliscus lunatus lunatus

General Description

Scientific Name: Damaliscus lunatus lunatus

Subspecies: no subspecies

Other Names: simply Tsessebe

Status: Least Concern (decreasing)

Population Estimate: 30,000

Population in Assessed Areas: Unassessed

Diet: Herbivore - grasses & herbs

Male Size: 140 Kgs

Female Size: 120 Kgs

Trophy Size: 46 minimum

Generation Length: 6.1 years

Reproductive Season: February to March

Time of Activity: Diurnal/ semi-nocturnal

Description: Female tsessebe are generally smaller & skinnier than males but they have similar horns, shaped like a crescent moon. Female horn size are about 37cm on average and males, around 40cm.

The Common Tsessebe is a relative large antelope with an elongated face and a hump above the shoulders, with the back sloping down to the lower hind quarters. Cows are smaller than bulls. The hide is dark brown with a purple tint and almost black on the muzzle, front head, shoulders, upper legs and the tail. The base of the tail, the saddle, behind the ears and the under parts of the body is a dull yellowish brown. Calves are reddish yellow and have a mass of between 10 and 15 kg at birth.

Ecology: The habitat of the common tsessebe is mostly in the north of the African Savannah. They live in wide plains that end up submerged during the monsoon season. There are also hundreds of subspecies of common tsessebe in the area around southern Sudan that migrated looking for greener pastures at some point, and never returned to their homes.

Bush encroachment is a major source depleting population numbers and declining the natural distribution range. Tsessebe rely on their vision to detect potential danger and therefore move away when the bush closes up. Over grazed veld is marginal to unsuitable as well. They do not adapt easily to integrated mixed animal and livestock management systems, but prefer non-crowded larger free roaming space, with little competition from other animal species. They will grace in wetland grasses of up to 3 m tall. Reference habitats are mostly associated with alluvial basaltic clay soils.

Behavior: Tsessebe are social animals. Females form herds composed of six to 10. After males turn one year of age, they are ejected from the herd and form bachelor herds that can be as large as 30 young bulls. Territorial adult bulls form herds the same size as young bulls, although the formation of adult bull herds is mainly seen in the formation of a lek. Tsessebe (both sexes) declare their territory through a variety of behaviors. Territorial behavior includes moving in an erect posture, high-stepping, defecating in a crouch stance, ground-horning, mud packing, shoulder-wiping, and grunting.

Their reproductive habits and their sociable behavior play a big part in their territorial instincts, because males have to have their own space if they want to reproduce. In some of the bigger packs in the African Savannah, that could mean anywhere between 50-400 hectares. Males increase their territory bit by bit, and only migrate to look for places with more water or better grazing patches. They can quickly re-establish their territories and relationships when they come back.

Predation: Common predators include Lions, Leopards, Cheetahs, Spotted Hyenas, Wild dogs & Crocodiles (in some areas). Historically when populations where much larger, they would have been common prey for prides of lions, though less common than more common species like Blue Wildebeest, Burchell's Zebra, and Cape Buffalo.

Reproduction: Tsessebe reproduce at a rate of one calf per year, with calves reaching sexual maturity in 2-3.5 years. After mating, the gestation period of a Tsessebe cow lasts seven months. The rut, or period when males start competing for females, starts in mid-February and stretches through March. The female estrous cycle is shorter, but happens in this time.

The breeding process starts with the development of a lek. Leks are established by the congregation of adult males in an area that females visit only for mating. Lekking is of particular interest since the female choice of a mate in the lek area is independent of any direct male influence. Several options are available to explain how females choose a mate, but the most interesting is in the way the male's group in the middle of a lek.

The grouping of males can appeal to females for several reasons. First, groups of males can protect from predators. Secondly, if males group in an area with a low food supply, it prevents competition between males and females for resources. Finally, the grouping of males provides females with a wider variety of mates to choose from, as they are all located in one central area. Dominant males occupy the center of the leks, so females are more likely to mate at the center than at the periphery of the lek.

Conservation Analysis

Map of Common Tsessebe Distribution
(Coming soon)

Current & Historic range: Tsessebe remain present in a number of populations in southern Africa, but became extinct in Mozambique around the late 1970s or early 1980s. They have been reintroduced in Swaziland, after the indigenous population was exterminated. Extensive herds also once roamed over large areas of Botswana alongside Blue Wildebeest & Burchell's Zebra, though these have died out due to fencing, habitat destruction, poaching, and competition with livestock.

Populations in South Africa seem to be increasing the fastest, largely due to an artificial range expansion further south than their original distribution, into regions like the Eastern Cape & Free state.

Current & Historic Populations: The exact population number of Common Tsessebe in historic times is unknown, but across their entire range, was likely in the millions. Poaching, competition with livestock, diseases, and obstructive fences have seriously degraded populations since, and likely they remain at between 2-5% of their historic numbers.

Many populations, particularly those in South Africa, seem to be increasing. This is largely due to introductions carried out by the hunting industry, but the ecotourism industry has helped significantly in funding these restoration efforts. However, populations in Northern Botswana (inhabiting the Okavango Delta), have decreased by over 76% in the past two decades. The exact cause of this decline is unknown, but it may be due to the overabundance of elephants in parts of the park (though their disturbance does create ideal habitat for Tsessebe herds).

Threats to Species Survival: While the species is still somewhat numerous and widespread, it has been eliminated from large areas of its former range by poaching, and habitat degradation associated with the encroachment/expansion of cattle. In parts of its range, brush encroachment due to a lack of large browsers like Elephants has changed the habitat to ill effect of the Tsessebe population.

A future potential threat is possible hybridization with Red Hartebeest in areas of their historic range in South Africa. Where these two species overlap, they can successfully produce fertile young, and there is a worry that introgression between the two species could occur, weakening the gene pool of both species. That being said, other Tsessebe species and Hartebeest species share ranges in parts of Eastern Africa without any evidence of introgression, hence this threat could be overstated.

Recommended Conservation Actions:

Further resource and manage protected areas where Common Tsessebe exist.
Look to reintroduce Tsessebe into areas of their historic range where they have been extirpated.
Conduct further study on the effects of Elephant populations on Tsessebe numbers, to see what the optimal levels are.
Improve survey methods to get accurate population data, such as implementing long-term monitoring programs.

Common Tsessebe Population Data

Country	Population Estimate	Population Status	Last Assessed
Zimbabwe
Zambia
Uganda
Tanzania
South Sudan
Rwanda
Nigeria
Mozambique
Malawi
Kenya
Gabon
Equatorial Guinea
Democratic Republic of Congo
Central African Republic
Cameroon
Angola
South Africa

*Further data on Gemsbok populations and harvest numbers outside of South Africa and Namibia are largely incomplete, and hence it has not been evaluated by us. It is our goal to expand into other African Nations soon, so please do be patient with us.

Economic & Cultral Analysis

Ecotourism Value: High

Hunting Value: High

Meat Value: Moderate-High

Average Trophy Value: $1,200-1,800 USD

Meat Yield per Animal: 65-190 kg

Economic Value/Impacts: In some regions, particularly rural areas, Common Tsessebe and other wildlife species serve as a source of protein and sustenance for local communities. Common Tsessebe is also a subject to poaching. During the 1970s - 80s, there is a serious problem with the poaching of Tsessebe which led to their extinction in Mozambique. In areas where they are abundant, they are often the subject of attention by ecotourists, making them a valuable species to the industry.

They are becoming increasingly valuable to people in the hunting industry, with mature Tsessebe trophies being worth over $2,500 USD in many instances.

Cultural Value: Tsessebe have been pursued as prey by hunter gatherer tribes thousands of years, being a staple food source for communities in many areas. They once avoided heavy human persecution by being a mostly nomadic species, simply moving on when the hunting pressure became too storng, though now due to modern vehicles and rifles, they can be heavily impacted by overhunting.

Common Tsessebe Harvest Data

Region	Males Harvested	Females Harvested	Harvest Change	% of Population	Total Springbok Harvested 2024
Namibia (Incomplete)
Limpopo
Mpamalanga
KwaZulu Natal
North-West
Free State
Eastern Cape
Northern Cape
Western Cape
All of South Africa

*Much of the data on Common Tsessebe harvest numbers across their range is largely incomplete, and hence it has not been evaluated by us. It is our goal to expand our data set as much as possible, so every data contribution is highly valuable to us.

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