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Royal Antelope

Based on Chris and Mathilde Stuart’s book, “Game Animals of the World,” published by African Hunting Gazette, here’s everything hunters need to know about the Royal Antelope
English: Royal Antelope

Latin: Neotragus pygmaeus

German: Kleinstböckchen

French: Antilope royale, Antilope pygmée

Spanish: Antilope pigmeo

Measurements

 

Total length: 57 cm (1.9‘)

Tail: 7.5 cm (3”)

Shoulder height: 25 cm (0.8‘)

 

Weight: 1.4 – 2.8 kg (3 – 6 lb)

Horns (male): 12 – 25 mm (0.47” – 0.98”)

 

Description

 

The royal antelope is the smallest of the three dwarf antelope (Neotragus spp.) and smaller than any duiker species in the area. They have cinnamon to russet upper coats with white underparts, and these are separated usually by a more orange-coloured band that extends onto the legs. There is a white throat patch that extends under the chin and the underside of tail is white. Only the male carries the short horns that slope with the face.

Distribution

 

Restricted to the Guinean forest zone of West Africa, and occurs in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana. It is considered huntable and many are taken in the bush meat trade. The very similar Bates’s pygmy antelope (N. batesi) occurs from Nigeria to eastern DR Congo, and is huntable in Cameroon.

 

Conservation standing

 

Relatively common, but loss of habitat probably having some impact. Bates’s pygmy antelope numbers in the hundreds of thousands.

 

Habitats

 

Occupies areas of dense and some secondary forests, also utilizing clearings in these habitats.

Behavior

Royal antelope is little studied, but Bates’s pygmy antelope probably very similar. They live singly, or in pairs, and the male probably defends a territory. Said to be mainly night-active but some daytime activity has been reported, and it may have activity periods throughout the 24-hour period. Home range sizes probably less than 4 ha (10 acres), and perhaps considerably smaller.

 

Breeding (very little known)

 

Mating season: Probably throughout the year

 

Gestation: About 180 days

 

Number of young: 1

Birth weight: Probably < 350 g (<12oz)

Sexual maturity: Female 8 – 18 months, Male 16 months

(probably similar to Bates’s pygmy antelope)

Longevity: Unknown

 

Food

Predominantly a browser, taking a wide range of plant species and possibly includes some fallen fruits and fungi.

Rifles and Ammunition

Suggested Caliber: Shotgun

Bullet: Coarse bird short.

Sights: Open sights or red dot.

Hunting Conditions: Expect short range in dense vegetation.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”View article in EZINE” color=”chino” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.africanhuntinggazette.com%2Fapr-may-june-2019%2F%23africa-hunting-gazette%2F20-21||target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row]