Litchtensteins Hartebeest

Alcelaphus buselaphus lichtensteinii

General Description

Scientific Name: Alcelaphus buselaphus lichtensteinii

Subspecies: no subspecies

Status: Least Concern (increasing)

Population Estimate: 58,000

Population in Assessed Areas: Unassessed

Diet: Herbivore - grasses & herbs

Male Size: 150 Kgs

Female Size: 120 Kgs

Trophy Size: 53 cm minimum

Generation Length: 7.5 years

Reproductive Season: February to March

Time of Activity: Diurnal

Description: It typically stands about 1.25 m (4.1 ft) at the shoulder and have a mass of around 150 kg (330 lb). It has a red-brown colour, which is lighter on the underbelly. The horns found on both sexes appear from the side to be shaped like the letter 'S', and appear from the front to be shaped like the letter 'O' with its upper portions missing.

The horns are slightly ridged and reach over 0.5 m (1.6 ft) in length, with the horns being considerably smaller and thinner in females.

Ecology: They live on areas where grasses and herbs are abundant and water is accessible on a daily basis. They are diurnal (active in the day), where they gather in herds of five to 15 females and calves with a single herd bull which leads them. The male stands sentry duty on termite mounds and the like. Males hold large territories, which they mark by digging up soil with their horns around the borders. Lichtenstein's hartebeest have good eyesight but a poor sense of smell. Their main sounds are a bellow and a sneeze-snort sound

Behavior: It is noted that the highest number of Lichtenstein's Hartebeest congregating together occur in August/September. The exact reason is unknown however this is primarily when most calves are born. Add in local migration from other herds and it may a form of anti predator grouping to protect newborn calves. However, Bachelor males are often found alone countering the herd mentality. Bachelor bulls do not establish territories while solitary bulls will exclude others from their domain. The ratio of male to female is usually 1:2.37.

Lichtenstein's Hartebeest are very territorial mammals and there is no overlap in territories between bulls. The rutting period (breeding season) runs typically from mid October to January, although slight variations exist between different locations. Bachelor bulls will often challenge alpha bulls until the point of complete exhaustion to take over the related female LHs. There are numerous stereotyped behavior patterns in the repertoire of the genus Alcephalus that are directly associated with territorial defense. Amongst these, pawing and horning the earth are the most conspicuous. In Zimbabwe the most conspicuous body movements were the "head-to-flank", where the head is rubbed against the shoulder, and a "head-flagging" movement where the hartebeest shakes its head up and down vigorously when alarmed. Hartebeests mark their territory by forming dung piles in their respective territories.

More tolerant of woodland areas and high grass than other Alcelaphines, Lichtenstein's Hartebeest prefer the edge to the middle of open plains, and thus appear to be an edge or ecotone species, generally avoiding more closed woodland. Lichtenstein's Hartebeest utilise grassland clearings within the miombo woodland of south-eastern Africa.

Predation: The large carnivores preying on red hartebeest in southern Africa include lions, spotted hyenas, leopards, and cheetahs. Nile crocodiles may opportunistically prey upon hartebeest at watering holes, though this is uncommon. Like other Hartebeest species, Lichtenstein's Hartebeest are not a primary food source for any of these species.

Reproduction: Lichtenstein's Hartebeest have a gestation period of eight months, and they give birth to single calves. They typically give birth in a seasonal pattern before the summer rain begins. Most females begin breeding after the age of two, and can conceive again 9 or 10 months after giving birth. During the calving season, females are known to gather together in denser groups, presumably as some form of protection.

Like other Alcelaphus species, calves have the ability to run within the hour of being born, a defense mechanism necessary to protect themselves against many of the large carnivores that can predate upon them. The most common predators of claves include spotted hyenas, jackals, and on occasion lions & leopard.

Conservation Analysis

Map of Lichtenstein's Hartebest Distribution

Current & Historic range: Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest formerly occurred widely in the miombo woodlands of south-central Africa , but now occur mainly in wildlife areas in Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia; they are extinct in Burundi and probably Angola. Small populations also still exist in South Africa, occurring in free range herds in the Limpopo region, along the border with Mozambique and Zimbabwe. These herds are small, and under threat of poaching and competition with livestock.

Current & Historic Populations: The exact population number of Lichtenstein's Hartebeest in historic times is unknown, but across their entire range, was likely in the millions. Poaching, competition with livestock, diseases, and obstructive fences have greatly degraded populations since.

The last estimate of the population of Lichtenstein's Hartebeest in 1993 placed them at 82,000 individuals, with sizeable populations surviving only in Tanzania, particularly in the Selous ecosystem, and Zambia, in Kafue and Luangwa Valley (Gosling and Capellini 2013). Densities of Lichtenstein's Hartebeest range from 0.2 to 3.5/km2 (Booth 1985). Foley et al. (2014) said there are 17,000-18,000 in the Selous Game Reserve and c. 4,500 in other PAs. Growing numbers are also present within their Mozambique range, due to increased protection efforts, and additional revenue streams created by the hunting & ecotourism stream.

Threats to Species Survival: The main threats to Hartebeest in general, and including Lichtenstein's Hartebeest, are agro-pastoral development, overhunting & poaching. The species has been shown to tolerate legal and regulated hunting over parts of it's range, like many species of it's size and reproductive rate. Because of increased hunting interest, it is becoming increasingly common on reserves in northern South africa.

Recommended Conservation Actions:

Further resource and manage protected areas where Lichtenstein's Tsessebe exist.
Increase incentives for regulated & sustainable harvest of the species, in order to fund habitat protection.
Improve survey methods to get accurate population data, such as implementing long-term monitoring programs.

Economic & Cultral Analysis

Ecotourism Value: Moderate

Hunting Value: High

Meat Value: Moderate-High

Average Trophy Value: $1,900-$2,500 USD

Meat Yield per Animal: 50-68 kg

Economic Value/Impacts: In some regions, particularly rural areas, Lichtenstein's Hartebeest and other wildlife species serve as a source of protein and sustenance for local communities. Even in areas where hartebeest numbers are high, they are rarely the attraction of ecotourist attention, mostly because they're a rather unknown species compared to others like wildebeest, zebra, giraffes or elephants.

In the hunting industry, they are a commonly targeted species, and can often fetch impressive prices of over $2,000 USD, depending on the location. A considerable number of these trophies are harvested in Zambia & Mozambique, where stable populations of this species exist. Some individuals are also owned on high fence properties in South Africa, though this population is supposed to be very small. Some regard the meat of Hartebeest as undesirable, whilst others regard it as a delicacy.

Cultural Value: Lichtenstein's Hartebeest have been pursued as prey by hunter gatherer tribes thousands of years, being a staple food source for communities in many areas.

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