Lechwe antelope

Lechwe is a semi-aquatic antelope often moving in very large herds of several hundred.

They graze knee deep on the flood plain grasses.

At high water, massive herds may be seen along the upper flood line and in the open grassland

As the floods recede the herds move into the grassy floodplain. They feed on grasses and herbs in water up to a meter deep

Mating takes place mainly between December and January. Males fight over small territories known as leks and then mate with several females.

There are three kinds of lechwe found in Zambia.

The Black Lechwe is the darkest of the three, with a rich blackish brown coat and is found only in the Bangweulu swamps of Zambia.

The Kafue Lechwe has larger and longer horns than the other two species with dark shoulder patches and a light brown coat. It is found in the floodplains of Lochinvar.

The Red Lechwe found in the Busanga area of Kafue National Park is yellowish red in colour and dark brown markings on the legs. The legs of the Red Lechwe are covered in a water repelling substance allowing them to run quite fast in knee-deep water