Sable Antelope: Unwanted Roommates?
Posted at 1:54 pm July 26, 2007 by Blair Roberts
Since my last entry (see Blair’s previous blog, Where, Oh Where Are the Ungulates?), a major change has taken place in the East Africa field exhibit at the Wild Animal Park: 13 Zambian sable antelope are now sharing the space with the original 12 ungulate species. The sable – large, dichromatic antelope with impressive curved horns – were relocated from their former home on Horn & Hoof Mesa at the San Diego Zoo in preparation for the construction of the Zoo’s new elephant exhibit. As researchers and Park-goers, we are glad to have the interesting and beautiful animals, but do the original residents share our sentiments?
The arrival of the sable was met with indifference from the southern white rhinoceroses, our largest residents, but smaller species, such as the Nile lechwe and wildebeest, were a bit nervous and ran away from the large newcomers. This is understandable, given that a male sable’s horns can reach an intimidating 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) in length! (A male is pictured above.) The fringe-eared oryx were a bit stubborn and attempted to defend their territory, but backed down from the larger sable before anyone got hurt. All in all, it was an exciting day!
The sable antelope present me with a wonderful opportunity to compare the behavior and spatial distribution patterns of the original residents before and after the sable arrived. Given the range of reactions to the newcomers, it will be interesting to see which species adapt their use of the enclosure to avoid the sable and which make no change to their daily routine. It is also important to determine whether the sable are displacing other animals from their normal feeding spots. If so, it may be necessary for the keepers to provide additional food for the ousted animals.
In addition to the new antelope, my study now includes regular measurements of temperature and wind speed in different areas of the enclosure. This data will allow us to determine whether or not temperature influences an animal’s choice of grazing or resting spots. As the California sun climbs higher in the sky, do animals prefer breezy hilltops or lower areas where shade from trees is more abundant? I have six weeks left to find out!
Blair Roberts is a Weedon Summer Student Fellow in the Behavioral Biology Division at CRES.
Listen to an iZoofari Chat with Blair as she talks about her study.
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July 26th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
Thanks, Blair, sounds like you have a lot of research to do in six weeks. You won’t get bored that’s for sure.
We look forward to more reports on the animal interactions and adaptations. The sables must also adapt to new environment, new feeding spots, and new neighbors. Do they tend to be “gregarious/friendly” to other animal species? Or, do they tend to stick with their own kind, and either avoid or ignore other species?
July 26th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Hopefully all will continue to go well. After the new elephant exhibit is biult will the Sables movie back to the zoo or is this relocated permanent??
August 1st, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Blair responds:
It is good to know that there is such a high level of interest in the Wild Animal Park’s new herd of Zambian sable antelope!
The sable seem to keep largely to themselves. They are most often found in one large group, unlike some of the other species in the exhibit that split into multiple groups or spread themselves out over the entire enclosure. Whether this pattern changes as the sable get more comfortable in their new home and as the other species get more accustomed to their presence remains to be seen.
As for future plans for the sable antelope, it is a little too early to know where their permanent home will be. The Zoo is beginning a series of exciting renovations and there are plans for a mixed-species antelope exhibit, which may include sable. Whether the Zoo’s group will include some or all of the individuals from the Wild Animal Park’s new group is unknown at this point. Future movements of the sable will probably depend in part on how these animals fare in the East Africa enclosure as well as on how the demographics of the group change. For example, as young males grow up they may come into conflict with the dominant male, causing the herd to be split into two separate groups. We hope that in the future you will be able to see the marvelous sable antelope at both the Zoo and Wild Animal Park.
January 5th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Hello Blair-
We are very interested in your behavior analysis of the herd of sable antelope in East Aftica. It has been interesting to watch the other animal react to a large herd released all at once, and to see a herd that has come from a smaller exhibit adapt to the large environment of the park. Any further notes on what you have witness of their behavior would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you-
Tami Bankson
Photo Caravan Relief Lead
San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park