https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres en-us 2020-04-27 13:28:54 UTC 2025-11-18 23:26:48 UTC hello@padlet.com julecampbell https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/534065411 The bontebok is a rather unknown species found in Africa's savanna. They are the rarest antelope in Southern Africa, with a geographic range limited to the Bontebok National Park, a few private lands, and zoos around the world. There are around 3,500 bontebok alive today in Africa.
https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/bontebok]]> 2020-04-27 16:32:11 UTC https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/534065411 julecampbell https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/542932751 If you have heard of the bontebok, it is because of its amazing come-back story. In the 19th century, climate change and hunting caused the bontebok population to decrease to only 17 in the entire world. Luckily, a farmer decided to protect them, which resulted in a 9% population increase annually. Bontebok National Park was created as a management plan for the species. It is still running today and management efforts are focused on conservation and protection.
http://www.geowild.co.za/documents/DEON%20Bontebok%20Report%202016%20May.pdf]]> 2020-04-30 19:46:02 UTC https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/542932751 julecampbell https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/542974065 Status: Vulnerable
Diet: grasses and shrubs; they are diurnal, meaning they graze in the morning and evening
Social Structure: strict hierarchy of male dominance; groups are typically composed of 3-5 adults, 2-3 sub adults, and 2-4 lambs. Bachelor groups are around 4-20 individuals
Importance: not a key stone species, but important in managing invasive grass species
Value: ecotourism,  trophy hunting, and cultural due to success story
https://www.ewt.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/9.-Bontebok-Damaliscus-pygargus-pygargus_VU.pdf]]> 2020-04-30 20:10:46 UTC https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/542974065 julecampbell https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/543093823 The media share the story of the bontebok because it is one that inspires many to take action towards conservation. The blog linked below describes the story of the bontebok. The main reason the media loves this story is because the bontebok is not able to jump. Their lack of athletic ability is coined the reason why the species survived--because they weren't able to jump over the fence the farmer put around them to protect them.]]> 2020-04-30 21:33:15 UTC https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/543093823 julecampbell https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/543105052 One big controversy with this species is the hybridization with the blesbok. The bontebok and blesbok are both subspecies of Damaliscus pygargus. They look very similar, but the main difference is the bontebok is much darker than the blesbok. This is a major controversy because it threatens the genetic integrity of inter-fertile species. The main reason they are bred together is because they are considered more valuable to hunters. Many people are against the hybridization of the two subspecies for this reason. ]]> 2020-04-30 21:42:12 UTC https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/543105052 julecampbell https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/543130935 A male bontebok was born a year ago at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo! ]]> 2020-04-30 22:04:19 UTC https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/543130935 julecampbell https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/543133168 Unlike other antelope species, the bontebok is not able to jump. While they are not able to jump, they are able to crawl underneath high fences. ]]> 2020-04-30 22:06:18 UTC https://padlet.com/julecampbell/puwbxk5h36pnsres/wish/543133168