SITUTUNGA (tRAGELAPHUS SPEKEI). I03 



SITUTUNGA (Tragelaphus spekei). 



(Also known as Speke's Tragelaph.) 



Natives Names. 



Chibisa Nzowe. Chiwemba Nsovve. 



No name for it in the other countries, as it does not occur. 



Food. 

 Bango leaves (a kind of reed). 



Spoor. 



Very long spreading V-shaped hoofs, slightly longer and thinner than that of 



the lechwe. 



Habitat. 



The swamps of the big lakes and the swampy rivers which flow into them and are 



blocked with " sud " papyrus and spear grass. 



They hardly ever emerge from these swamps except during the night. 



Habits. 



Live always in water and swamp, and are very difficult to find, as it is impossible 

 to make any way into the dense mass of reeds and papyrus. 



In a few localities where there is open water they may be come on suddenly 

 from a canoe. 



They can swim under water for a short time. 



The swamp dwellers of Bangweolo, the Ba-nga, used to trap and kill great 

 numbers of them, and in this way the head is not so rare for those that care to buy 

 heads, but the sportsman who wishes to shoot one, unless he has exceptional luck, 

 will find it a very difficult, wet, and feverish amusement. 



The hoofs are excessively long and narrow spreading to a great extent, which 

 enables the animal to walk on the papyrus and other roots. 



These animals are on the protected list in Uganda, as there they are much 

 more accessible and easy to shoot than in the swamps of Central Africa. 



This animal and the kudu both have white tips to their horns. The females 

 are hornless. 



Notes. 



