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Jackwow

Lechwe (I think) and Calf

Shame about the ID tag on mums ear!

Lechwe (I think) and Calf
Jackwow, 10 Mar 2013
Jake likes this.
    • Jackwow
      Shame about the ID tag on mums ear!
    • Maguari
      Yep, Kafue Flats Lechwe - and obviously the UK zoo line is still throwing up the occasional white individual! :)
    • Jackwow
      Thanks for that, is that the same species as the Southern Lechwe?
    • Maguari
      Deceptively complicated question! :D

      Traditionally it is considered a subspecies of Southern Lechwe (Kobus leche) under the name Kobus leche kafuensis - all lechwe are in this species except Nile (K. megaceros).

      Recently it has been suggested that the various 'K. leche' subspecies are distinct species, in which case it would take the name Kobus kafuensis (and I think the name 'Southern Lechwe' falls by the wayside, as all the subspecies have their own common names - Red, Black, Upemba, Kafue Flats and the probably-extinct Roberts'). Certainly there is evidence of good genetic separation between them, and a degree of physical difference as well - kafuensis has bigger horns on average, and much more black at the top of the legs than other 'red' lechwe.
    • Arizona Docent
      Great photo!
      Jackwow likes this.
    • Jackwow
      @Arizona Docent thank you, only took me 6.5 years to notice your comment!
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  • Category:
    Knowsley Safari Park
    Uploaded By:
    Jackwow
    Date:
    10 Mar 2013
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