Nile Lechwe
Kobus megaceros
Nile lechwe are a species of antelope closely related to waterbuck and kob. Males are black-brown with long, lyre shaped horns. Females are yellow-brown and lack horns.
Measurements
Size: Shoulder Height 1.3 - 1.6m
Weight: 80 - 120kg
Habitat
Nile lechwe inhabit the floodplains, swamps and rivers in the Sudan and western Ethiopia.
Diet
Nile lechwe eat mainly grass and will graze along the banks of rivers in depths of 5 to 20cm of water.
Breeding
The female gives birth to a single young after a pregnancy of 7 months. The young will be weaned at around 5 to 6 months of age.
Conservation
Nile Lechwe are classed as ‘endangered’ in the wild. They are hunted for their meat and also suffer in times of drought when their food is in short supply. Our Nile lechwe are part of the European Breeding Programme and many calves have been born here in the park.
Threat Level
Find us