Lechwe are found in the southern savanna in Africa. The population is centered in Zambia, but small populations of lechwe are found along rivers in Zambia, Angola, and Botswana (Estes, 1991).

Biogeographic Regions

Ethiopian native.

Habitat

Lechwe prefer areas of the flood plains that border swamps because they are close to water and food. The largest populations can be found on flat plains where the wet meadow is maintained throughout the flood cycle. When there is extreme flooding, lechwe take refuge in the woodlands (Estes, 1991).

Terrestrial Biomes

Savanna or grassland forest scrub forest.

Physical Description

Lechwe are medium-sized antelopes, with heights ranging from 90 - 112 cm. The color of the lechwe is chestnut with white underparts, throat, and facial markings. Males darken with age. Lechwe have dark leg and body markings, and these markings vary in color, from black to red, and are noticeable between the different subspecies. The horns of the lechwe range in length from 45 - 92 cm and are relatively thin. Their hooves are adapted for swampy terrain. While lechwe do not have scent glands, their coats are greasy and have a distinct odor (Estes, 1991).

Other Physical Features

Endothermic bilateral symmetry.

Range Mass

61.6 to 128 kg.

135.68 to 281.94 lb.

Reproduction

Lechwe breed in a two and a half month period during the rains, usually between November and February. Females are able to breed as early as one and a half years of age, but males are not mature until five years of age. The gestation period is seven to eight months, and two-thirds of the calves are born in a two-month peak, from mid-July to mid-September on the Kafue Flats. When the mothers give birth, they either do so singly or in small groups. Calves are born in covered and dry areas and remain concealed for two to three weeks. Mothers suckle their young both early and late in the day. Once they are done hiding, young calves form groups of up to 50 young, which are mainly independent of their mothers. Calves are weaned in five to six months (Estes, 1991).

Lechwe: The Elegant Antelopes of Africa's Wetland

Video by Familiarity With Animals (FWA)

Lifespan/Longevity

Average lifespan

Status: wild.

15.0 years.

Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research.

Behavior

Male and female lechwe remain separated from each other most of the year. Some males are strongly territorial for part of the year. Females and calves depend on water and are commonly found near wet areas, while males do not require as much water and are found at greater distances from water sources. Males compete for their territories during the rut. The rest of the year they remain in bachelor herds. Female herds are very open and always changing. There is no definite leader in the female groups. Within these groups, there is no connection between individuals except for mothers and calves in their first year. Lechwe are active in the hours before sunrise and for several hours afterward. During the breeding season, breeding areas known as leks are formed. These are not fixed in the same place from year to year because of the inconsistency of the flooding cycle. The breeding peak is in the early rains. Females enter the lek on their first day of estrus and mate with one or more males. A few males dominate the mating but lose stamina and are replaced (Estes, 1991).

Key Behaviors

Motile social dominance hierarchies.

Communication and Perception

Perception Channels

Tactile chemical.

Food Habits

Lechwe eat nutritious grasses found in flooded meadows. To reach their food, lechwe will feed in water up to their bellies. During the cool dry weather, they do not need to drink, but in the hot dry weather, they may drink up to three times a day (Estes, 1991).

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Lechwe have been hunted and poached by humans for profit (Estes, 1991). Also, lechwe are one of many African mammals that attract tourists (Stuart and Stuart, 1995).

Conservation Status

Lechwe are listed under the following:

CITES - Appendix II;

US ESA - Threatened;

IUCN - Vulnerable (Wilson, 1993).

A century ago, the lechwe population may have numbered half a million, but it has been dropping ever since. The greatest change occurred between 1971 - 1987 due to the building of hydroelectric dams that altered the natural flooding cycle. Even poaching did not significantly damage the population (Estes, 1991).