Beira Antelope Research Articles

Noninvasive measurements of ovarian activity in Beira antelope (Dorcatragus megalotis).

As the natural habitat of more and more species becomes depleted, captive breeding programmes have become established to bring species back from the brink of extinction. Monitoring the reproductive status of an individual is essential in order to improve breeding success. Traditional methods have involved stressful blood sampling, and thus noninvasive methods have been proven to be reliable alternatives for monitoring reproductive function in both captive and free-ranging animals. Subsequently, noninvasive methods have become an invaluable tool in longitudinal studies and conservation efforts, as animals can be observed without, or minimal human contact. The Beira antelope is a small antelope endemic to the northern part of the Horn of Africa. Population numbers of the Beira have been declining over the last few decades due to habitat fragmentation. We show here that the reproductive cycle of female Beira antelopes can be monitored noninvasively, by using faecal samples to analyse oestrogen (fEM) as well as progestagen (fPM) metabolites. The profiles of fPM and fEM of both females showed regular cyclic patterns in which the follicular and luteal phases could be distinguished. The overall mean cycle length is 22days (range: 21-25days), with a mean length of the follicular phase of 6days (range: 4-7days) and a mean length for the luteal phase being 15days (range: 12-16days). The suitability of these noninvasive techniques should assist in optimizing breeding efforts of this endemic small antelope in captivity. Being noninvasive, this method could also be a useful tool for monitoring reproductive function in the dwindling wild populations.

Compared diets of sympatric beira antelopes and domestic goats in the growing season

The beira (Dorcatragus megalotis) is a threatened antelope of the Horn of Africa, whose feeding habits are poorly documented. Using micro-histological analysis of faeces, we examined its wet season diet in arid hills of the Republic of Djibouti and compared it to that of sympatric domestic goats (Capra hircus). As expected, the goat was found to be an intermediate feeder, eating ca. 50 % of grasses. In contrast, the beira was found to be a strict browser, feeding selectively on the leaves of woody plants and forbs. Furthermore, the beira appeared to consume little the forb Aizoon canariense and the shrub Croton somalensis, two plants that were found to be important food items for the goat, and are known for becoming major components of the flora in the event of overgrazing and subsequent soil degradation. Despite the contrasted diets of the two species, overgrazing by domestic goats may thus constitute a major threat for the long-term survival of the beira.

Blood values of captive beira antelope (Dorcatragus megalotis) prior to and during an outbreak of fibrinous pleuropneumonia syndrome (FPPS).

Currently the only captive population of beira antelope (Dorcatragus megalotis) is held at the Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, Qatar. An outbreak of a severe respiratory disease--fibrinous pleuropneumonia syndrome, most likely caused by Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae--led to a marked population decline. Reactive systemic inflammatory (AA) amyloidosis was noted as a chronic manifestation of the disease. Blood samples had been collected for biochemistry and hematology baseline values prior to the outbreak. Population-level changes were analyzed before and during the course of the outbreak in selected blood parameters (white blood cells [WBC], blood urea nitrogen [BUN], and creatinine). The annual population WBC increased and decreased concurrently with the population size, with a significant correlation between the two measures (R = 0.92; P = 0.001). Both BUN and creatinine values were higher during the outbreak. These values peaked at the same time as mortality, which was 1 yr after the WBC peak. These changes were interpreted as the transition from an acute disease with a primary respiratory manifestation into a chronic condition where renal amyloidosis led to chronic renal failure and death. Also, elevated liver values in diseased animals were attributed to amyloidosis. Parallels to a literature report on a lung disease complex caused by M. ovipneumoniae in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) were found. Trends in population-level blood values of the beira antelopes implicate amyloidosis as a significant, long-term consequence of the putative Mycoplasma infection.

Effects of seasonal heat on the activity rhythm, habitat use, and space use of the beira antelope in southern Djibouti

In hot, arid environments, non-burrowing mammals are at risk of overheating and dehydration, so human-induced reduction in thermal cover may constitute a threat for their survival. We studied the daytime activity rhythm, habitat use, and space use of the beira (Dorcatragus megalotis), a threatened antelope living in arid hills of the Horn of Africa, where tree cover is shrinking because of logging, and overgrazing by livestock. During the cool season (Nov.–Mar.; mean midday temperature: 28.5 °C), beira did not particularly seek shade, and alternated in the course of the day between short phases of activity and rest (median duration in Dec.–Feb.: 57.5 and 42.5 min, respectively). In contrast, during the hot season (May–Sep.; mean midday temperature: 39.1 °C), beira often foraged in a hill's shade, and midday resting phases were especially long (median duration in May–Jul.: 280 min) and spent in the shade of trees, or of rock shelters when available in the home range. Because of reduced diurnal movements when temperature was high, beira home ranges were smaller during the hot than during the cool season (mean ± SE: 0.25 ± 0.05 km2 in May–Jul. vs 0.42 ± 0.10 km2 in Dec.–Feb.). Whatever the season, beira mainly used areas supporting trees. The obtained results suggest that the decrease of tree cover in the areas inhabited by the beira constitutes a threat for the species survival.

Pansenfehlgärung und Lösungsansätze bei der Handaufzucht einer verwaisten Beira-Antilope (Dorcatragus megalotis)

Within the last 11 years several Beira antelope fawns (Dorcatragus megalotis) had been hand reared for several reasons at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) in Qatar (Abb. 1). Hand rearing Beira antelopes is usually not more difficult than hand rearing any other small antelope species as long as no complications occur. The following case report describes the problems that occurred while artificially rearing an orphaned Beira fawn as well as our approach to a solution.

Ex situ management of Beira antelope Dorcatragus megalotis at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation, Qatar

Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP), Qatar, is the only facility worldwide to keep the Beira antelope Dorcatragus megalotis, a small antelope from East Africa, listed as Vulnerable by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Physical, behavioural and physiological characteristics of the species are described in detail, based on observations in captivity. At AWWP, the Beira antelope population increased from 2000 until 2006 when it declined dramatically as a result of an epidemic‐like outbreak of a respiratory disease most likely owing to a Mycoplasma infection. Management at AWWP includes a diet based on natural forage, careful group composition, enclosure design adapted to the need of the species and close monitoring. Apart from their important conservation status, Beira antelope are highly attractive animals with a particular shape and coloration, and a docile nature.

The social and spatial organisation of the beira antelope (Dorcatragus megalotis): a relic from the past?

We studied the social and spatial organisation of the beira (Dorcatragus megalotis) in arid low mountains in the South of the Republic of Djibouti. Beira was found to live in socio-spatial units whose ranges were almost non-overlapping, with a surface area of about 0.7 km2. Each unit included a single adult male, and from one to three adult females. On average, the members of a unit made up a single group during 76% of the observation time, 92% outside the periods when a neonate was in the “hider” stage and/or an adult female in oestrus. Collective sequences of linked urination–defecation were frequent. Members of neighbouring units rarely met and interacted, chasing behaviour occurring mainly between adult males. Overall, the social and spatial organisation of the beira appears to be intermediate between that of the dik-diks (Madoqua spp.), in which units exceptionally include more than one adult female, and that of the oribi (Ourebia ourebi), in which units can include several adult males. Moreover, it resembles those of the klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus) and rhebok (Pelea capreolus), two morphologically conservative species that do not belong to the tribe Antilopini. We suggest that the beira’s social and spatial organisation might be similar to that of the last common ancestor to the Antilopini, if not to most of the extant Antilopinae.

The population size and distribution of the Vulnerable beira antelope Dorcatragus megalotis in Djibouti

The Vulnerable beira antelope Dorcatragus megalotis is endemic to the Horn of Africa and believed to occur in low numbers in Djibouti, in the southern mountain range of Aser-Jog. In the absence, however, of detailed information on the species, we censused the population and estimated its density, and collected data on the occurrence of potential competitors and predators. A total of 99 different individuals were sighted, with an estimated average density of 0.69 km -2 (range 0–1.25 km -2 ) over the 13 massifs comprising the mountain range. We did not locate the species in massifs located near villages, suggesting it is affected by human activities. One of the main threats to the beira may be competition for grazing with domestic goats. The creation of a wildlife refuge in Aser-Jog would increase the attractiveness of the area to tourists and encourage international organizations to support a conservation programme for the beira.

An overlooked population of the beira antelope Dorcatragus megalotis in Djibouti

The beira antelope Dorcatragus megalotis, which is listed as possibly extinct in Djibouti in the 1996 IUCN Red List, was observed there by the authors in 1993/94. The authors discuss its status in the country and the action needed for its conservation.

An overlooked population of the beira antelope Dorcatragus megalotis in Djibouti

The beira antelope Dorcatragus megalotis, which is listed as possibly extinct in Djibouti in the 1996 IUCN Red List, was observed there by the authors in 1993/94. The authors discuss its status in the country and the action needed for its conservation.