Rare antelope killed in passion duel

By Titus Too

A mating session turned tragic after a male Sitatunga (rare species of aquatic antelope) was killed by a rival colony of males at King’wal Swamp in Nandi.

Hundreds of locals turned out to watch the horrifying duel from a watchtower during the early morning drama.

The male had identified a breeding partner but unknown to him, a rival group also eyeing the same female was monitoring it.

"The rivals were fighting for territorial control at the expanded King’wal Swamp," KWS District Chief Warden Joel Kanda said.

The King’wal habitat of the rare antelope was discovered about six years ago.

It becomes survival for the fittest as colonies chase away weaker opponents during breeding.

The fierce fight involving five male antelopes over one female started at around 6.30am on Tuesday.

The battle lasted for more than two hours before one was overpowered and killed.

Male Sitatungas

Many villagers said they had not seen the rare antelope before and the fight gave them the opportunity, as the animals rarely leave the water during the day.

"We have only read about the antelope in the media although they live in our neighbourhood," said Zipporah Lelei, a resident.

Learning was delayed as pupils on their way to school stopped to watch the fight.

The antelopes live in swamps covered by thick and long papyrus reeds from where they only emerge late evening and early morning to graze along the riverbanks.

Male Sitatungas have long horns brown and white bellies while the females do not have horns.

Mr Kanda, who led KWS officers after residents alerted them, said the Sitatunga was killed after another male pierced its abdomen with its horns.

"The antelope lost a lot of blood and died instantly but we collected its two-feet long horns and hooves for safe custody in our offices while its flesh was destroyed to discourage any attempt to poach or eat uninspected meat," said Kanda.

He described the death as a great loss since KWS stepped up efforts to protect the species, which is only found at King’wal and Saiwa swamp in Trans Nzoia.

Biggest threat

The Sitatunga is an aquatic antelope specializing primarily on papyrus swamps and reedbeds. It is also shy and seen, if at all, only early or late in the day. When alarmed it submerges with only the nostrils above water.

Lions, leopards, hyenas, and wild dogs all prey upon Sitatungas, but like most animals, the biggest threat to their population are the actions of man.

Sought after for both their meat and skin, hunters capture the antelope by setting snares along their well-travelled paths, or driving them into open water where they are easily overtaken. Since these animals are so dependent on dense vegetation, habitat destruction due to swamp drainage is their greatest threat.