Editorial

Dear African hunters, enthusiasts and outfitters

The heaviest, largest, and certainly one of the most majestic in Africa’s wildlerness…

I wanted to showcase the common eland (as opposed to the Giant, or Lord Derby) this month. When I sent the message to the African Dawn Outfitters asking them to send in pictures for this month’s issue, there was some push back. Isn’t the Lord Derby an eland said some? Others thought it warranted showcasing all on its own.

Well, before going further, of course it is an eland, and of course it is an iconic member of the spiral horn group and, of course, the Lord Derby the largest of all antelope. Or is it?

Why I throw that out is that when talking to some professional hunters, they believe there are some areas where the Cape eland can weigh in at more than the magnificent beast of Central and West Africa. And perhaps that is true.

What’s undeniable is how impressive this massive animal is, and it simply has not got the respect it deserves. The Lord Derby eland has for sure, but why not simply ‘the eland’? 

Aside from their sheer size, the ‘clicking’ ankle sounds when walking, the ability to jump over mind-boggling high fences, to the different body sizes and hair styles - ‘mops’ – all these attributes collectively inspire admiration. I am not sure what other ungulate has such variety of hair pieces, but it is their proportions, dependent on environment, that gets me.

Because the monsters from northern Namibia and Botswana are just eye-wateringly huge. Tom Murphy’s piece this month is dedicated to hunting the eland family, from the Cape to Cameroon and everywhere in between.

So, north of the Equator as the days get longer, and you are heading to Africa later this year, the eland is one animal you should be taking a good, hard look at to add to your bucket list.  

Best regards,

Richard Lendrum

Wildlife Column

On 2 May 2021, South Africa’s Minister for Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, made public a massive report of 582 pages compiled by a so-called ‘High-Level Panel’, containing 18 goals and 60 recommendations. Most strategic planners will tell you that having too many goals is a sure recipe for failure to achieve any of them.

Nico van Rooyen Taxidermy

As second owner of Nico van Rooyen Taxidermy, from 1994, my beginnings in this artistic trade were based on a childhood in hunting and conservation, both in Tanzania and Germany, as well as a family background in art. A profession in taxidermy offered itself as a logical combination.

Hunting eland in Africa

The Livingstone eland, Taurotragus oryx livingstonei, is found in Angola, the northwest tip of Namibia, the Caprivi Strip (now Zambezi Region), Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.  It has been introduced into South Africa where it’s not unusual to see it grazing alongside the common, or Cape eland.

African Dawn Outfitters

Adroda Safaris

Adroda Safaris provides its clients with the opportunity to hunt across southern Africa in large, diverse habitats and free-range concessions offering true fair-chase hunting.

Daggaboy Hunting Safaris

Daggaboy Hunting Safaris has two hunting areas in Namibia. The base camp is situated at 22° 56.542’S 16° 41.208’E. The other hunting area is in a conservancy in the Caprivi.

Madabula Safaris

Madubula Safaris was founded by John Abraham in 1990 and it has grown into one of Africa’s premier safari companies.
Safaris are conducted to the highest ethical standards only. No compromise.

Rob Lurie Safaris

Rob Lurie Safaris is a family owned and run business. Rob Lurie has been in the Safari industry for 25 years guiding hundreds of clients on successful, memorable safaris.  With extensive experience of hunting and guiding in Zimbabwe, Mozambique...

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