Springbok

Antidorcas marsupialis

General Description

Scientific Name: Antidorcas marsupialis

Subspecies: 3 subspecies

A. m. angolensis (Angolan Springbok)
A. m. hofmeyri (Northern Springbok)
A. m. marsupialis (Southern Springbok)

Status: Least Concern (increasing)

Total Estimated Population: 1,400,000 - 1,750,000

Population in Surveyed Areas: 11,127 Individuals

Diet: Primary browser

Male Size: 27-42 kgs

Female Size: 25-38 kgs

Trophy Size: 30 cm Minimum

Generation Length: 4.2 years

Reproductive Season: Year round

Time of Activity: Diurnal

Description: Males weigh between 30-45 kg’s, and females between 25-35 kgs, with both sexes standing between 70-86 cm at the shoulder. The Northern Springbok (A. m. hofmeyri) is significantly larger than the southern subspecies (A. m. marsupialis), whilst the Angolan subspecies is of unknown average weight. Both sexes have horns ranging between 35-50 cm long, with males having horns 60-70% larger in total mass/volume compared to females. Dark stripes extend across the white face, from the corner of the eyes to the mouth, and a dark patch marks the forehead. Typically light brown, the springbok has a dark reddish-brown band running horizontally from the upper foreleg to the edge of the buttocks, separating the dark back from the white underbelly. The tail (except the terminal black tuft), buttocks, the insides of the legs and the rump are all white. Two other colour varieties occur, one is pure black and the other pure white. Though born with a deep black sheen, adult black springbok are two shades of chocolate-brown and develop a white marking on the face as they mature. White springbok, as the name suggests, are predominantly white with a light tan stripe on the flanks

Ecology: Springboks are primarily a browsing species, that may switch to grazing when other food is unavailable. They show a strong preference for shrubs and young succulents, particularly the latter when water is scarce, as it often is in the desert environment they inhabit. Herds are usually split into Harems made up of females and their young, and bachelor herds of mixed aged males, which travel in search of receptive females during the breeding season.

They were once the primary prey species of the South African Cheetah, as well as prey for spotted hyenas, lions, leopards, African wld dogs, jackals, brown hyenas, caracals, crocodiles, and pythons. African wild cats, several eagle species and black-backed jackals all commonly predate on springbok fawns.

Behavior: Herds usually vary in size between 2-1,000 individuals, with bachelor herds usually being much smaller. Historically, herds would congregate together for massive, long distance treks involving millions of animals, historically referred to as “trekbokking”. These very rarely occur today due to their much smaller population size, but small ones do occur in parts of Namibia, Botswana, and western south Africa.

Springbok are often found in association with other ungulates like gemsbok, blesbok, red hartebeest, black wildebeest, Burchell’s zebra, and cape eland. It usually avoids the presence of cape buffalo & elephants, though these two species have very different feeding preferences to springbok.

Reproduction: Springbok mate all year round, but most females tend to cycle when food is most available. They have a fast reproductive rate, with many females first coming into cycle at just 6 months of age, whilst males start at around 2 years old. Gestation lasts 5-6 months, after which their single calf (sometimes twins) will stay with the mother for between 6-12 months. If the calf dies early, springbok have the ability to calf 2-3 times a year, to ensure reproductive success. Because of this very fast reproductive rate, they can bounce back quickly after a devastating drought.

Conservation Analysis

Current & Historic range: Springbok currently occupy much of their historic range (apart from intensive farms and human settlements) Across most of south Africa & Botswana, all of Namibia (bar the far northeastern corner), as well as part of southern Angola. In South Africa, most springbok populations are found in the northern cape, free state, north-west province and parts of the eastern cape, with smaller populations in the western cape, Kwazulu Natal & Limpopo. The largest herds in south africa re found in the Northern Cape and the Free state, where habitat conditions are ideal

Current & Historic Populations: Historical estimates of springbok populations prior to European colonisation of southern Africa range into the billions, being claimed as the most populus antelope in Africa at one time. Large Treks of millions of animals occurred all over the southern end of the continent, with many being so large that the herd would stretch for over 100km, and would completely decimate vegetation in it’s wake. Overhunting for it’s hide and meat, combined with fencing (disrupting it’s migrations) and habitat fragmentation reduced it’s population to record lows at the end of the 19th century, but have since rebounded in modern times due to game farming efforts. Modern populations estimates sit somewhere aground 2.5 Million springbok across all of southern africa, with around half to 2/3rd's of that being in South Africa.

Map of Springbok Range & Populations

Threats to Species Survival: Populations of springbok across Southern Africa are in no danger of disappearing, largely due to the large amount og their habitat that is formally protected, and the expansion of the game farming industry. Because of this, it is one of the few African antelope species that is reportedly increasing in population size and range. Despite this, current populations are still much lower than historical numbers, and hence there is significant room for populations to grow in size. Human harvest throughout most of it range also seems to be managed at a sustainable level, showing that human utilization of this species does not threaten it's survival.

Potential threats to this future growth could come from a mixture of different sources. High fences often impede the movement of springbok over of rangeland, and may prevent natural grazing patterns from occurring. Springbok are a highly nomadic species that benefits from unimpeded movement, so the impact of this must be evaluated as populations increase. Whilst well adapted to arid conditions, climate change may also increase the occurrence of long lasting drought, something that may be further exacerbated by unsustainable livestock management. Additionally, jackal predation is becoming an issue for some populations, where unnaturally high numbers of jackals (often due to the absence of larger predators) take excessive numbers of springbok calves, hampering herd recruitment.

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, such as cattle farms, where the springbok are used as another source of revenue and sustenance for local peoples.
Increase surveying capabilities of the Angolan Subspecies (A. m. angolensi), as currently we know little about it's current conservation status, as well as the forces driving any recorded declines.

Economic & Cultral Analysis

Ecotourism Value: Moderate

Hunting Value: High

Meat Value: High

Average Trophy Value: $532 USD

Meat Yield per Animal: 12-22 kg

Economic Value/Impacts: Springbok are now one of the most hunted game animals’ species in South Africa, and make up the bulk of the meat sold into the commercial markets for domestic sale, particularly for biltong production. Their small size and preference for browse that's often unpalatable to cattle or sheep reduces the chance of springbok competing with livestock for food, hence allows most landowner to tolerate their presence. Many landowners operating on marginal land where cattle are difficult to grow use springbok as an alternative income source, both through the sale of their meat, and for hunting trophies. Springbok have some ecotourism value, especially since they are South Africa's national mammal, but are usually outshone by larger and more charismatic megafauna in the eyes of international visitors.

Cultural Value: Springbok have long been hunted by the native peoples of southern Africa, being the most common antelope species in Southern Africa, and extremely palatable. They would have made up a significant portion of the San People's diet, especially during their large scale Treks, where millions of animals herded together made a kill all but inevitable.

Much of this value continues on till this day, in many ways. In the eyes of the general public, springbok are held in high regard, being the National animal of South Africa, and the mascot for the world famous Springboks Rugby Team. In the eyes of landowners and international hunters, they are a incredibly valuable and sought after trophy, especially for an animal of their size. Springbok make up a significant portion of the trophies harvested by international hunters, exceeded only by the equally common Impala.