Fossil Rim - Sable Antelope

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Hippotragus niger

Area of origin: Southeastern Kenya to Angola and Eastern South Africa

Status: Conservation Dependent

The herd rests in an outward-facing circle to watch for danger, while young lie protected at the center.

The sable's name comes from the Russian word for black.

Our herd
The nomadic nature of this species is a problem in Africa when it migrates away from protected preserves. We have two male and 13 female sable. One herd lives in the main pasture and the other in the front pasture. You can usually find them grazing in open areas, easily identified by their dark coats and distinctive upstanding manes.

Sable are not overly wary. When pursued they can run as fast as 57 km/hr. If they are cornered or hurt they become very dangerous. They will charge and use their horns with amazing dexterity and speed.

How they behave
The sable tend to stick together. They can be very aggressive at feeding time, and will actively prevent other animals from feeding. We feed them pelleted food, supplemented with hay.