Focus on the BIG picture.
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025
Outside the box.
First Photographic Evidence of the Upemba Lechwe in DRC Amidst Imminent Extinction
Aerial survey reveals critically low population of Africa's 'forgotten antelope' with only ten individuals recorded.
A rare photograph of the Upemba lechwe, described as Africa's 'forgotten antelope', has been captured for the first time, highlighting the pressing danger of extinction facing this elusive species.
With fewer than 100 individuals estimated to remain, a recent aerial survey in the Kamalondo depression of the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo identified only ten of these antelopes.
This survey marks the first population assessment conducted in over 50 years.
The Upemba lechwe, a subspecies identified in 2005, has been observed only in fleeting contexts, with the recent sighting enabling Manuel Weber, from Upemba National Park’s department of research and biomonitoring, to take what is believed to be the first photograph of a living specimen.
Captured during a brief moment when the antelope paused, the image is viewed as critical for raising awareness of the species' plight.
Weber described the experience as extraordinary, stating that the anticipation leading up to the survey was intense, given the potential implications of failing to document the species.
Research published in the African Journal of Ecology shows the Upemba lechwe is now classified as one of the world's rarest large mammals, primarily threatened by illegal poaching and unsustainable hunting practices.
Historical data indicates that the population was once as large as 22,000 individuals in the early 1970s, with significant declines attributed to overhunting.
Weber remarked on the relationship between local communities and wildlife management, acknowledging the role of meat harvesting in traditional practices but emphasizing the necessity for viable populations.
Efforts to preserve the Upemba lechwe have become urgent, as the continued survival of this species is heavily reliant on immediate protective measures.
The photograph taken by Weber is intended not only to document the species but also to galvanize support and resources in efforts to prevent extinction.
The hope among conservationists is that an increased focus on the Upemba lechwe will pave the way for effective protective strategies to ensure the long-term survival of this critically endangered animal.
With fewer than 100 individuals estimated to remain, a recent aerial survey in the Kamalondo depression of the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo identified only ten of these antelopes.
This survey marks the first population assessment conducted in over 50 years.
The Upemba lechwe, a subspecies identified in 2005, has been observed only in fleeting contexts, with the recent sighting enabling Manuel Weber, from Upemba National Park’s department of research and biomonitoring, to take what is believed to be the first photograph of a living specimen.
Captured during a brief moment when the antelope paused, the image is viewed as critical for raising awareness of the species' plight.
Weber described the experience as extraordinary, stating that the anticipation leading up to the survey was intense, given the potential implications of failing to document the species.
Research published in the African Journal of Ecology shows the Upemba lechwe is now classified as one of the world's rarest large mammals, primarily threatened by illegal poaching and unsustainable hunting practices.
Historical data indicates that the population was once as large as 22,000 individuals in the early 1970s, with significant declines attributed to overhunting.
Weber remarked on the relationship between local communities and wildlife management, acknowledging the role of meat harvesting in traditional practices but emphasizing the necessity for viable populations.
Efforts to preserve the Upemba lechwe have become urgent, as the continued survival of this species is heavily reliant on immediate protective measures.
The photograph taken by Weber is intended not only to document the species but also to galvanize support and resources in efforts to prevent extinction.
The hope among conservationists is that an increased focus on the Upemba lechwe will pave the way for effective protective strategies to ensure the long-term survival of this critically endangered animal.
