Rare Antelope Survives Decades of Civil War in Angola

The giant black sable, a magnificent antelope once feared extinct, has been rediscovered. In August 2002, a group of South African and American scientists set out on an expedition to find the giant sable. They recorded five separate sightings but were unable to take any photographs because the animals fled so quickly.

This is wonderful news because many believed this rare antelope had been wiped out in the more than 25 years of civil war in Angola. Between 1975 and 2002 an estimated 100,000 elephants, thousands of black rhinos, and many herds of buffalo were slaughtered. Some were killed for food, others for their tusks to fund the war efforts.

The giant sable is an amazing animal to behold. It is similar in size to the more commonly found sable antelope, which weighs between 400 and 500 pounds but does not have the full white eye-to-eye nose line. Its most striking characteristic is its horns, which rise vertically to about five feet and curve backwards.

First described in 1909 by Frank Varian, the giant sable was named Hippotragus niger varianiin his honor in 1916.

There had been no confirmed sightings of the giant sable for 20 years until last August. News of the discovery was well received throughout Angola. The giant sable is the national symbol, gracing postage stamps and banknotes.

AWF president Patrick J. Bergin visited Angola last year to discuss conservation issues with authorities. "Civil war has ravaged the area and decimated wildlife populations. We want to partner with Angola in identifying how we can best protect the giant sable, the elephant, and many other species," says Bergin.

Conservation work in Angola could be incorporated into the Four Corners Heartland programs.