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. |
