Feeding behaviour of sable Hippotragus niger niger (Harris, 1838) in the Rhodes Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The breeding biology and aspects of social behaviour of sable were studied in the Rhodes Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe. Data were recorded from wild sable in the field and partly free-ranging tame animals. Females had their first oestrus when two years old and males were sexually mature when three years old. Conception rate was high and the gestation period close on nine months. Suckling behaviour and the mother-infant bond is described.