On social organization and behaviour of the gerenuk Litocranius walleri (Brooke 1878).

Abstract

The social organization of the gerenuk in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, is characterized by single adult male on territories encompassing their entire home ranges, small female-groups of variable composition, often associated with territorial male, and small groups of subadult male. There appear to be no non-territorial adult male ("bachelors"). Subadult male wander about considerably, often alone, before they succeed in taking over a territory. Territorial male perform linked urination/defecation and mark dry twigs with the antorbital gland secretion. Agonistic and courtship behaviour resemble those of other gazelles. Mother-young relations conform to the "hider type" among bovids.