The Oribi is a small antelope found in Eastern, Southern and Western Africa. The sole member of its genus, The Oribi reaches nearly 50–67 cm at the shoulder and weighs 12–22 kilograms. Only males possess horns, they are thin, have straight horns of about 8–18 cm long, they are smooth at the tips and ringed at the base.
Oribi Antelope are Africa’s smallest pure grazer and tend to prefer fresh grasses along with occasional browsing. Some of the varieties consumed include; Eulalia, Andropogon, Loudetia, Hyparrhenia, Themeda and Pennisetum specie. The Oribis are diurnal and as a result they feed during the day. They live in grasslands both within and outside of protected areas across their distributional range. Oribi have a wide distribution on the African continent, Uganda being one of the few countries.
Oribi live predominantly in pairs, male and female and together defend a small territory. This territory is maintained and advertised by both the male and female through dung middens which are utilized for territorial marking-they live in herds of about four (4) members with the territories defended by males and these territories range from 25 – 100ha in size.
Regarding reproduction, Oribi’s have an extended breeding season with birth peaks in the rains and they become mature sexually at 10 –14 months. Their gestation takes about 7 months after which a single calf is produced. The calf can be hidden for close to a month with the mother visiting it regularly for suckling and weaning later occurs at 4 – 5 months.
Adults hide from predators when flushed, they dash away in a zigzag bounding run. The Oribi life span is 8 – 10 years in the wilderness while in captivity, but some can grow up to fourteen years.
The Oribi is listed as species of Least Concern on the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with global population estimate of 750,000 individuals. However, the population is reducing due to livestock competition and agricultural expansion.
The oribi has been classified as a species of least concern by the (IUCN) with a total population estimated at 750,000. However, the species is considered vulnerable as they are threatened by poachers with the surrounding communities.
Areas to Spot Oribis on your trip with the Lakato Safaris.
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