| Puku | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male (Zambia) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Genus: | Kobus |
| Species: | K. vardonii |
| Binomial name | |
| Kobus vardonii (Livingstone, 1857) | |
 | |
Thepuku (Kobus vardonii) is a medium-sizedantelope found in wetgrasslands in southernDemocratic Republic of Congo,Namibia,Tanzania,Zambia and more concentrated in theOkavango Delta inBotswana.[1] Nearly one-third of all puku are found inprotected areas,zoos, andnational parks due to their diminishinghabitat.[2][3]
Puku stand about 80 cm (31 in) at the shoulder and weigh from 70 to 80 kg (150 to 180 lb). The puku is sandy brown in colour, with the underbelly a slightly lighter brown. The coat is rougher than that of the similar-sizedsouthern reedbuck,lechwe orimpala, or the smalleroribi. Males have horns which are ridge-structured, 50 cm (20 in) long, andlyre-shaped.[4]
There are two subspecies, the Senga Puku (Kobus vardonii senganus) and the southern puku (Kobus vardonii vardonii).
Puku are found almost exclusively inmarshy grassland anddambos, where they eatgrasses.[3] The puku diet is flexible in regards to type of grasses consumed. There is little dietary competition with otherbovids.[5] This species iscrepuscular, active in the early morning and late afternoon. When scared, puku repeat a shrill whistle sound. Females gather inherds of up to 20 individuals. During the rainy season, herds will come together for added safety, typically reaching around 50 females. Males holdterritories and attempt to persuade herds of females to stay within their territories for as long as possible. In the wet season, due to large floods in their habitat they migrate to a higher elevation and in the dry season remain near water.[6]
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