SABLE BREEDING SUCCESS AT MOUNT CAMDEBOO

17th of October 2011

Named for its dark, black coat, the sable antelope is an extraordinary looking antelope that inhabits the grasslands and savannahs of southeastern Africa.  Although not considered endangered throughout its range, the sable has been eliminated from large areas due to habitat loss, disease and drought.  There is concern about the threat level being increased due to growing human populations that are eliminating critical habitat.

Due to a rigid social dominance structure, and high stress levels in confinement, sable antelope are notoriously difficult to maintain and breed in captivity. 

Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve has successfully established a sable breeding project which continues to show increasing signs of success. Following on last year’s outstanding  calving season with  90% females,   the cows started calving in mid-September with  4 female and 1 male calf  dropping to date. Gestation is 230 – 240 days;  calves are about 15kg.  Interestingly, sable cows conceal their young for a period of 2 – 4 weeks and  the weaning age is 240 days (about 8 months).
The calves have already formed a nursery group which is good to see. Project walks explaining the breeding programme and a visit the Sable camp are offered at Mount Camdeboo.