Scientific Name :   Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi

Description :  
                                          Easily confused with the bontebok, with which it may interbreed.
                                                    Dark reddish-brown body, white belly, groin and lower legs.
                                                    Yellowish on rump with brush-shaped tail.
                                                    Dumb-looking face with long broad muzzle.
                                                    White blaze on face and Forehead, interrupted above the eyes.
                                                    Sexes difficult to distinguish. Males are darker, have thicker necks and tend to keep their heads up more.
                                                    Horns of males are thicker and lighter in colour on the ridges, too.
                                                    Look for the presence of a penis sheath and scrotum, if vegetation allows.

Horns:
                                    Both sexes carry horns - male horns are much more robust.
                                                Grow up, then outwards and back, then forward and in again.
                                                Heavily ridged and yellowish on the ridges.

Mass:
                                    Males 70-80 kg
                                                females 60-70 kg

Habitat :  
                                    Short open grass.

Behavior :  
                                    Herd animals.
                                                Encountered as mixed herds, female herds with offspring, male herds or territorial male with harem.
                                                Males territorial, especially in mating season.
                                                Use communal dung -heaps.
                                                Graze short grass and dependent on water.
                                                Active in daytime, grazing in the mornings and afternoons and lying in the sun over midday.
                                                Sometimes sleep standing up, with the head hanging down.
                                                Lamb in Nov/Dec after 8 months gestation.
                                                Lamb joins the herd.

Hunt Method :  
                                  Be sure of identification where bontebok are present since bontebok are worth more.
                                            Take care too, if gender is important.
                                            Blesbok flee up-wind in single file with the herd male bringing up the rear and stopping occasionally to look back.                                                                                         They are reluctant to leave their favourite grazing area and, provided they do not spot or smell you,
                                            may well give you a second chance.

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