Senkelle Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary | |
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Location | Oromia Region, Ethiopia |
Nearest city | Hawassa |
Coordinates | 7°11′N38°20′E / 7.183°N 38.333°E |
Area | 54 km2 (21 sq mi) |
Established | 1972 |
Governing body | Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) |
Senkelle Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary is a protected area in the Oromia Region (or kilil) of Ethiopia, dedicated especially to the protection of the Swayne's hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei). Covering 54 square kilometers, the reserve is located some 10 kilometers south of the Shashemene-Arba Minch road near the town of Aje. [2]
The sanctuary provides a home to one of Ethiopia's endemic subspecies, the Swayne Hartebeest with a population of 500 individuals roaming across the grasslands. Other species such as Bohor Reedbuck, Warthog, Greater kudu, and Oribi roam within the area of the sanctuary. Crested porcupine, Aardvark, and Abyssinian hare are also observed within the area for coexistence. [3]
Although the sanctuary was set aside to protect the largest population of Swayne's hartebeest in Ethiopia, a mammal endemic to the country, the original herd of 3,000 animals has dwindled to a few hundred due to poaching. Nevertheless, according to the travel writer Philip Briggs "the small size of the reserve and open terrain make it the one place in Ethiopia where Swayne's hartebeest sightings are practically guaranteed." [2]
Woody plant encroachment is an additional factor that leads to changes in animal habitat. During the course of 30 years, the sanctuary area covered by grassland declined by 9.8% while the total area covered by bushland increased by 21.4%. [4]
The hartebeest, also known as kongoni or kaama, is an African antelope. It is the only member of the genus Alcelaphus. Eight subspecies have been described, including two sometimes considered to be independent species. A large antelope, the hartebeest stands just over 1 m at the shoulder, and has a typical head-and-body length of 200 to 250 cm. The weight ranges from 100 to 200 kg. It has a particularly elongated forehead and oddly-shaped horns, a short neck, and pointed ears. Its legs, which often have black markings, are unusually long. The coat is generally short and shiny. Coat colour varies by the subspecies, from the sandy brown of the western hartebeest to the chocolate brown of the Swayne's hartebeest. Both sexes of all subspecies have horns, with those of females being more slender. Horns can reach lengths of 45–70 cm (18–28 in). Apart from its long face, the large chest and the sharply sloping back differentiate the hartebeest from other antelopes. A conspicuous hump over the shoulders is due to the long dorsal processes of the vertebrae in this region.
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