Legal status Scheduled as "Specially protected game" in KwaZulu-Natal. Listed as "Rare" in the S A Red
Data Book, and not on any CITES appendices.
Distribution and status Tsessebe occur only in Ithala Game Reserve, where the current population numbers 130. During
1978 12 animals (3 males and 9 females) from Transvaal (originally Kruger National Park stock) were
released in the reserve, followed by a second introduction of 11 (3 males and 8 females) in 1981.
Du Plessis (1969) stated that tsessebe formerly occurred in the old Pongola Game Reserve, and
that they may have also occurred in northern Zululand. Wearne (1965) cited reports of the last
surviving herd north of Lake St Lucia in 1925, and earlier occurrences (about 1920) at Mhlosinga
and south of Nyalazi River.
Living requirements In two Transvaal game reserves tsessebe occur on flat to slightly undulating grassland plains
with scattered trees (Huntley 1972, Joubert 1972). Tsessebe are grazers, preferring longer grass
than do blesbok, selective for palatable grass species and young stages, removing peripheral leaves
of tussocks down to 50 - 100 mm (Huntley 1972). Water is drunk at least once a day.
Huntley (1972) recorded a density of 1/11 ha in suitable habitat within the small Percy Fyfe
Nature Reserve. In the Kruger National Park, where the animals are less confined, the ecological
density is roughly 1/20 - 1/40 ha (Joubert 1972). Joubert (pers. comm.) considers that the tsessebe
habitat in the above two areas is sub-optimal, and that that in Ithala is less suitable.
Social organisation Both Joubert (1972) and Huntley (1972) described a social system in which each territorial
male remained with a harem-nursery herd throughout the year. The territory (200 - 400 ha), was
therefore equal to the home range. Mean herd size was 10. Separate bachelor herds were formed.
Population dynamics Breeding is seasonal. Mating takes place mainly during February, and calving reaches a peak
during October and November (Huntley 1972). Gestation is 8 months (Mentis 1972), and age at first
parturition is usually 3 years, sometimes 2 years. Potential lifespan is similar to that of other
alcelaphines, viz 13 - 15 years. In calves the sex ratio is 1 : 1, but amongst adults it is 1 : 1,7
(Mentis 1972). In Ithala GR population growth has been about 15 % per annum (N.P. le Roux, NPB, in
litt.).
Threats The single population in KwaZulu-Natal makes it vulnerable to catastrophes. There are
unfortunately few other areas, in the province, to which tsessebes could be introduced.
Human importance No use is made of tsessebes in KwaZulu-Natal and they are not responsible for any
problems.
