THE
HIROLA
ANTELOPE
BY ISHAN RAMAWICKRAMA AND LUCAS GLENN
Appearance / Characteristics
The Hirola Antelope have golden-brown hair, long legs and a long face. The white
strip across its forehead makes it look like it is wearing glasses.
The horns are curved and flare at the tips and can grow as long as 70cm.
They stand approx. 100 to 125 cm at their shoulder – which is approx. the
same height as a 9 year old at their shoulder (40 to 49 inches)
They are also known as the four eyed antelope
because of the glands under their eyes
They are diurnal which means they are active
during the day (not night). As a herd they graze
in the mornings and early evenings.
A herd can consist of one main male and two
to sometimes 40 females.
Sometimes there are herds of just males.
Natural Habitat / Environment
The Hirola Antelope live across a small range in
parts of Kenya and Somalia, in Africa.
The area they live in is an arid desert which
has scrubs and grasslands.
Fact:
When our parents were young there
were approx. 14,000 Hirola
antelopes dotted all over Kenya and
Somalia
Cause of Extinction
The Hirola Antelope is critically endangered.
• Rough estimates put their numbers at only between 500 to 1200.
• In 2007 the Hirlola Antelope was listed as one of the top 10
species to protect.
• There are currently no Hirola Antelopes in captivity and a recent
survey taken by aircraft – confirmed sightings of only 254 in the
wild.
• The major threat against the Hirola is poaching by humans and
loss of habitat.
• They also have to put up with droughts and cattle grazing to
survive.
Predators
The Hirola’s predators are humans (poachers), lions,
cheetahs and African wild dogs.
Right after giving birth, the mother and newborn are
very vulnerable to predators.
Poachers kill the
Hirola Antelope for its
black spiral horns.
FOOD
The Hirola’s favourite food is newly sprouted grass just poking
out of the ground.
It competes with livestock for grazing grasses.
The Hirola is crepuscular – which means it is able to go without
water which is helpful during Africa’s droughts.
What can we do to help the Hirola
Antelope?
1. Reduce exposure to livestock which carry diseases
which kill the Hirola Antelope
2. There should be more attention spent on
monitoring them and their activities
3. Promote income generating eco-tourism for this
special species, such as people paying to go on
safaris to see them in their natural habitat. The
money would then go to support conservation of
the Hirola
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