A rare antelope that has been absent in the Mara has been spotted after a decade o absence. The single male Roan antelope was spotted near Roan Hill, to the south of the Maasai Mara reserve this week.
“The hill named after this antelope has reclaimed its name,” said Paul Kirui, a Kenya Professional Gold Safari Guide. Kirui said the animal was first seen in the central plains, and crossed the Talek River to settle among the Topi plains.
Mara Conservancy CEO Brian Heath said the huge number of Roan antelopes has reduced due to poaching. He said the last one was seen in 1993 in Oloololo escarpment. In South and Western Kenya, Roans are found in Lambwe valley, near Lake Victoria.
Many thanks to Kenya’s The STAR newspaper for this report.
Let’s hope this is just the first of many sightings of this beautiful antelope.