Mammals
Mountain Reedbuck
Redunca fulvorufula · also called mountain reedbucks
Whistling sharply before bounding away across steep, rocky ground, a mountain reedbuck has traded the reedbeds favoured by its lowland relative for hillsides and mountain grassland, a habitat shift that comes with a considerably more urgent conservation story.
Overview
The mountain reedbuck, Redunca fulvorufula, is a small antelope native to rocky, mountainous grassland habitat scattered across eastern and southern Africa. Its grey, woolly coat, preference for steep terrain over wetlands, and sharp recent population decline make it one of the more urgently monitored small antelope species found on the continent.
A steep decline on steep terrain
Despite occupying rugged, often remote mountain habitat that has historically offered some protection from human pressure, the mountain reedbuck has still experienced a sharp enough decline in recent decades to warrant an Endangered classification.
Status
Endangered, with populations declining sharply due to habitat loss, hunting pressure, and predation.
Mountain Reedbuck: common questions
How does the mountain reedbuck differ from the southern reedbuck?
This species favours rocky hillsides and mountain grassland rather than the reedbeds and wetland edges preferred by its lowland relative, and it has a grey, woolly coat instead of the reddish-brown coat typical of lowland reedbuck.
Why does the mountain reedbuck whistle when alarmed?
This species gives a sharp, nasal alarm whistle when disturbed, alerting others nearby before it bounds away across the steep, rocky terrain it favours.
Do female mountain reedbuck have horns?
No, this species has small, forward-hooked horns present only on males, considerably shorter than those of many other grassland antelope.
Why is the mountain reedbuck classified as Endangered?
This species has declined sharply in recent decades due to habitat loss, hunting pressure, and predation, a steeper decline than many other African grassland antelope have experienced.