EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Sable Antelope (Hippotragus niger), Family Bovidae
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Explanation:  One of the most beautiful antelope in Africa is the sable with its glossy black coat, contrasting white underbelly, and striking facial markings.  

Sable inhabit open grasslands and woodlands of southeastern Africa, and usually keep near a water source.  They typically form nursery herds of 10-20 or more animals which consist of mostly females and young with one dominant alpha male.  They are active mostly in early morning or later afternoon, roughly crepuscular times of day.   

Once hunted for trophies, the species is now mostly protected, although there is controlled hunting of sable in Namibia.