Puku - Kobus vardoni
Puku are easily overlooked as they
can be confused with lechwe or impala.
They are slightly smaller in size and stouter in general appearance
than the impala. Puku are nearly uniformly red and lack the impala's
black ankle and facial markings and the pale underbelly, black leg
markings and high rear-quarters of the lechwe. The males have smaller
horns than the lechwe and impala.
Puku are often seen in association
with impala and lechwe with whom they share
common enemies.
The Chobe
river, near Kasane, is the only place south of the Zambezi
river where puku are found, although they are widely distributed
in the wetter areas of central Africa. They occur in the dry fringes
of swampland and rivers and are never far from water.
Like their close relatives, the lechwe,
they live in segregated herds with a territorial male separating
the bachelors from the female herd. If, however, the bachelors are
submissive their presence in the territory is tolerated.
Puku, when disturbed, utter a
repeated whistle and stot off with their head held high, unlike
the lechwe who hold their head down low.
|
