Although a number of Elands have been born in captivity, the number on public exhibition still remain very small. The only captive herd known to the writer is that of the Duke of Bedford, in Woburn Park, England, which is at once the admiration and envy of all collectors of living wild animals.
The White-Tailed Gnu, (Connochaetes gnu), once was abundant in South Africa, south of the Vaal River. But it has shared the fate of all the other large mammals of that region, and only a few scattered bands still exist. Nearly all of the specimens now living in captivity were born in captivity, for both species of Gnu take kindly to life in parks and gardens.
Every way considered, the Gnu is an animal of odd and remarkable form. It has a nose of strange shape, its horns are curiously formed, the hair on its head and neck exhibits various peculiarities, and its hips are oddly modeled. Its long, flowing tail is so horse-like that for many years this animal was pictured and popularly known as the “Horned Horse.”
The White-Bearded Gnu, (Connochaetes albojubatus), is noticeably larger than the white-tailed species, and in some respects it presents a finer appearance. Its bulk is considerably greater, and its color is more pleasing. This species bears a strong resemblance to the third species, which is known as the Brindled or Blue Gnu, (Connochaetes taurinus), from which the former is distinguished by its white mane and jaw-tufts, and generally paler color. At wide intervals the White-Bearded species inhabits southern East Africa, from about S. Lat. 23°, to the Albert Nyanza and Lake Rudolph, but chiefly near the coast. In only one locality do we learn of its occurrence west of the 30th meridian. To-day it is most numerous in German East Africa and the southern portions of Uganda.
The Addax Antelope, (Addax naso-maculatus), is a spiral-horned antelope which inhabits the southern edge of the Sahara Desert from Dongola quite across Africa to Senegal. Its extremely broad and spreading hoofs betoken a dweller upon sand, and are strongly suggestive of the snow-shoe hoofs of the caribou. It is said that this animal is not to be taken without making a journey into the desert, with camels.
The Leucoryx Antelope, (Oryx leucoryx), is the only member of its genus which has curved horns. Because of the length and very slight curvature of the horns, this species has by some writers been spoken of as the Sabre Antelope, and by a mischievous perversion that name has been turned into “Sable” Antelope, which refers to a totally different creature, (Hippotragus niger). Anyone who places an order for the purchase of a real Sable Antelope, and receives a Leucoryx instead of Hippotragus niger, is profoundly disappointed.
This species is a desert habitant, and its home is the desert region of North Africa from Dongola to the Senegal country. It is breeding regularly here, and the offspring mature successfully. The largest Leucoryx horns on record measure 39⅝ inches.
BEATRIX ANTELOPE
