Weighing at almost a tonne few can imagine what an animal can fear of its predators, but the lions often slay this placid bovid, the Eland.
The eland is an ox like wild ruminant which browses in a wide range of habitats. They are better known as antelopes they are normally shy, easily startled and obviously always alert. Elands are gregarious but they don't stick to a single herd and there is movement between groups. They band together in open areas for protection and also come together in impressively large numbers in response to the appearance for greenery after showers and thunderstorms. The Eland is the largest of all Kenyan antelopes and measures between 1.6 to 2 metres at the shoulder. The Elands have large long twisted horns which average around 80 centimeters. The record once hit one metre. Eland have scent glands on their hind legs just above the hooves so they leave a scent trail as they walk through the grass.
The horns are very important especially when feeding, they collect twigs using them grasping them and easily breaking them by a mere shake of their head and powerful necks. For all their sizes and weight their powerful chest hidden by the large and pendulous dewlap (the large flap of skin which hangs below the neck), elands are graceful creatures, well proportioned and elegantly symmetrical.
In Kenya these wonderful creatures are common in areas south of the Tana River- the longest river in Africa- and can gather in herds of up to 200, sometimes the herds can be much larger.
The Elands are easily domesticated, this has been done in countries like the Russia and also some pastoralists in Kenya do practice this. Their meat is much sweeter than beef and the females produce quite a considerable amount of milk.
ETT- Kenya Safaris Desk
Etton Travel and Tours.
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