Roan antelope
Hippotragus equinus
About
The roan antelope is one of Africa’s most striking grazers. With its strong, muscular build, sweeping black-tipped horns and bold facial markings, it’s a species that stands out.
Named for their roan-coloured coats - a rich, reddish-brown shade - these antelopes blend effortlessly into the sunlit savannah. Their impressive horns can grow up to a metre long and are put to the test when males battle for dominance, locking and clashing in powerful displays of strength.
Roan antelopes are highly social, living in herds of up to 35 individuals, led by a single dominant male who fiercely defends his group. With keen eyesight and powerful legs, they have a fighting chance against predators like lions and leopards - always alert, always ready to sprint to safety.
Roan antelope facts
Threats
While roan antelopes remain relatively widespread, they are disappearing in some regions. In Burundi and Eritrea, they are completely gone, and in Uganda and Kenya, only a few remain.
Human intervention
Agricultural expansion and human settlements are shrinking their natural space.
Hunting
Poaching for meat and hides is a serious threat to roan antelope.
Climate change
Changes in rainfall patterns threaten the quality and availability of grazing lands.
