The story of the Bushbuck

Have you ever heard of the antelope species Tragelaphus scriptus? Or lets throw down a bigger challenge…can you say Tragelaphus scriptus?! 

With dark brown fur the male Bushbuck exudes confidence. The female Bushback on the other hand boasts of a lighter brown coat, but shares one aspect of her outward appearance with her male counterpart; they have white dots along their sides that tread in no specific pattern. If colour isn’t the easiest way for an observer to identify the gender of this African mammal, perhaps the male Bushback’s horns  provide more clarity. All in all, this mammal is a beatiful sight to behold! 

Also called the Imbabala, from the Bovidae family we have to agree that Bushback is a more matter of fact if not really cool name. The name is also synonymous with the animal’s whereabouts – the bush. Did you know this antelope species can only be found in Kenya and 11 other African states? Goes to show that we are indeed a land of hidden gems in form of wildlife.   

If you’re looking to spot a Bushback on a safari, you need to keep a keen eye out because these animals are known for their shy nature and they tend to make good use of thickets and within forests. Naturally nocturnal, these animals are known to take advantage of the darkness when they are least likely to be disturbed. In the nightime however, they roam freely and even close in on human settlements which we believe is their way of playing hide and seek with us.  

But what’s most striking about this mammal is its solitary nature. Nature’s true introvert.. Bushbacks do not move around in pairs or as herds. For this reason, male and female Bushbacks only come together for the purpose of reproduction and thereafter go their separate ways after a few hours. If the female does get pregnant, the gestation period lasts approximately six months and when her calf is born, she goes to great lengths to ensure its safety against predators by cleaning and hiding it. Although it isn’t known when mother and calf go separate ways, the Bushback’s overall lifespan estimates to 12 years. 

Looking to spot this #KeWildlife on a future safari? They can be found at The Aberdare National Park, Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Chyulu Hills National Park and Mount Kenya National Park.