Angola's National Animal: The Powerful Roan Antelope

Angola's national animal is the giant sable antelope, a subspecies of the common sable antelope. The giant sable is native to Angola and is distinguished by its long, curved horns, which can grow to be over 1.5 metres long. It is considered a national symbol, appearing on everything from stamps to passports. The giant sable is also considered a flagship species for conservation. While the giant sable was believed to be extinct, it was rediscovered in 2005, with only nine females remaining in the wild. Conservation efforts have since helped increase the population to 100.

The giant sable antelope is Angola's national animal

The giant sable is a rare and critically endangered ungulate, with a population of only around 100 in the wild. It is endemic to the region between the Cuango and Luando rivers in Angola. Its most striking characteristic is its long, curving horns, which can exceed 160 cm in length. This made the animal a prime target for hunters.

The giant sable was discovered in the early 1900s and was prized for its beauty and long, curved horns. Killing the animal is considered a cultural taboo in Angola. Conservation efforts to protect the species from hunting began in the 1920s when there were around 2,000 animals in the country.

The giant sable is the most widely recognised representative of Angolan biodiversity. It is also a flagship species for conservation and has been the main focus of a conservation programme supervised by the Angolan Government.

It is a subspecies of the common sable antelope

The giant sable antelope (Hippotragus niger variani) is the national animal of Angola. It is a subspecies of the common sable antelope. The giant sable is found only in Angola and has been a national emblem since its discovery in 1909. It is proudly displayed on Angolan postage stamps and currency.

The giant sable antelope is one of Africa's most magnificent and least-known animals. It has remained hidden in its central Angolan refuge for centuries, protected and revered by local tribes. The giant sable is a subspecies of the sable antelope, which is a large antelope that inhabits wooded savanna in East and Southern Africa. The sable antelope shares the genus Hippotragus with the extinct bluebuck (H. leucophaeus) and the roan antelope (H. equinus). It is a member of the family Bovidae.

The giant sable antelope is named for its size, as both sexes are larger than other sable antelopes, and their horns are recognisably longer. The species is found only in a few remaining localities in central Angola, between the Cuango and Luando rivers. It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

The giant sable antelope is an important symbol of Angola, and its striking characteristic—its long, curving horns—have made it a target for hunters. The antelope is also endangered due to the civil war in Angola and the loss of its habitat to agricultural development.

Conservation efforts are underway to protect the giant sable antelope from extinction. These efforts include working with local communities to monitor and protect the antelope from poachers and to curb poaching pressure by recruiting rangers to scale up presence in the reserve.

It was discovered in 1909 or 1914

The giant sable antelope, also known as the palanca-negra-gigante in Portuguese, is the national animal of Angola. It is a subspecies of the sable antelope and is native to the region between the Cuango and Luando Rivers in Angola. The giant sable was discovered in 1909 and has been a national emblem since, even being featured on Angolan postage stamps and currency.

The giant sable is a large, rare subspecies of the sable antelope. It is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Critically Endangered Species. The giant sable has long, curved horns that can exceed 160 cm in length. Both sexes have horns, with males having more massive and curved horns that can reach lengths of up to 165 cm. Females have slightly shorter horns, ranging from 61 to 102 cm in length.

The giant sable is considered a national symbol in Angola and is portrayed on numerous stamps, banknotes, and even passports. The Angola national football team is also known as the Palancas Negras in honour of this majestic animal.

The giant sable population has faced several threats over the years, including civil war and poaching. Conservation efforts have been led by Dr Pedro Vaz Pinto, who has worked tirelessly to protect and increase the population of this endangered species.

It is a national symbol and emblem

The giant sable antelope (Hippotragus niger variani) is Angola's national symbol and emblem. It is a subspecies of the common sable antelope, and is known in Portuguese as the Palanca negra gigante. This rare and critically endangered animal is native only to Angola, and has been a national emblem since its discovery in 1909. It is proudly displayed on Angolan postage stamps, passports, and currency.

The giant sable is most widely recognised as a representative of Angolan biodiversity, owing to its endemic status, rarity, and physical attributes. Its cultural significance extends from local totemic status among resident communities to global recognition as an antelope symbol and flagship for conservation. It is also of great importance to conservation efforts, as its protection helps preserve other species in its ecosystem.

The giant sable is confined to the upper Cuanza basin in central Angola, and is known for its long, curved horns, which can exceed 160 cm in length. It is typically glossy black with white bellies, white facial markings, reddish hocks, and yellowish backs.

The giant sable was elevated to high status among the hunting community as a prized trophy, which fuelled the lust of big-game hunters from around the world. However, this also put the animal in great danger, and it is now considered critically endangered.

It is critically endangered

The giant sable antelope, also known as the royal sable antelope, is a critically endangered species. It is the national symbol of Angola and is held in high regard by its people. The giant sable antelope is a subspecies of the common sable antelope and is native to the region between the Cuango and Luando Rivers in Angola. It is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The giant sable antelope has a long history in Angola and is deeply rooted in the country's culture and heritage. It was first discovered in 1909 and has been a national emblem ever since. The antelope is portrayed on numerous stamps, banknotes, and even passports of the nation. The Angola national football team is also known as the Palancas Negras in honour of this majestic creature.

Unfortunately, the giant sable antelope faces several threats that have pushed it to the brink of extinction. One of the main threats is poaching, particularly during the Angolan Civil War. The long-lasting conflict disrupted conservation efforts and made it difficult to protect the antelope, leading to a significant decline in its population. Poaching continues to be a concern, despite efforts to combat it.

Another threat to the giant sable antelope is habitat destruction. Their specific feeding patterns, which include feeding on tree leaves at certain heights, make them vulnerable to changes in their natural habitat. The destruction of forests and the alteration of water sources can have a detrimental impact on their survival.

Additionally, the giant sable antelope faces competition from other species. In Cangandala National Park, for example, the lack of a sable bull led to interbreeding with the roan antelope, a close relative. This poses a threat to the genetic purity of the giant sable antelope and could further contribute to its decline.

Despite the challenges, there are ongoing efforts to protect and conserve the giant sable antelope. Dr Pedro Vaz Pinto has played a crucial role in these conservation efforts. He has led research teams and implemented projects aimed at understanding the distribution of the antelopes and addressing the threats they face. Local communities have also been involved in the conservation process, with several locals working as 'sable shepherds' to monitor and protect the antelope from poachers.

The future of the giant sable antelope hangs in the balance, and continued conservation efforts are essential to ensure its survival. With a dedicated team of researchers, conservationists, and local support, there is hope that this magnificent creature can be saved from the brink of extinction.

Frequently asked questions