Bontebok

The bontebok, Damaliscus pygargus, is an antelope found in South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia. Two subspecies are recognised: the nominate bontebok, occurring naturally in the fynbos and renosterveld of the Western Cape, and the blesbok of the Highveld. It is a tall, medium-sized antelope, 0.8 to 1 metre at the shoulder and 50 to 68 kilograms, chocolate brown with a white underside, a white blaze on the face and lyre-shaped, ringed horns in both sexes. It is diurnal, though it rests in the heat of the day, and herds stay below about 40 animals. Once killed extensively as a pest, it fell below 70 wild animals by the early 20th century, and Bontebok National Park was founded in 1931 to save it. It is the provincial animal of the Western Cape.