In appearance "our" Eland are striped and spotted and note no chevron on the forehead. They also have a short mane on the neck that continues down the spine. Eland also have a prominent dewlap – a loose fold of skin that hangs down from the neck. As they age they become more darkly coloured – almost black in fact.
Their social organisation is also interesting. Usually older, dominant males are solitary. Other adult males will form groups of 3 or 4. Males prefer to stay year round in a small “home range” but they’re not territorial. Females on the other hand, form much larger groups – up to 100 – and cover great distances to find the best food and water.
They gestation period is about 9 months. Juveniles remain in nursery groups until they are 2 years old before wandering off and joining loose groupings of their own sex.
As they walk, male Eland make a loud clicking sound that can be heard at quite a distance – it’s thought to be a way of asserting dominance by sound. Although they live and roam the 'Berg grasslands, they are not grazers but browsers. You can often see them using their horns to bring branches within reach. They also eat fruits, bulbs and tuberous roots.
Eland are also the animal most often depicted in the thousands Bushman paintings to be found in the overhangs and mountain caves. Eland held a special place in the Bushman’s pantheon of Gods – symbolising all that is good. Even today they still hold an important place in the mythology of some southern African tribes.
Gentle giants – symbol of the Drakensberg.
