ioo ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



antelope's head elevated : a precaution, which, if neg- 

 lected, results in the cud blocking up the windpipe and 

 choking the animal to death. 



We may now form some idea of the leaping powers of 

 impalas by an investigation of the footprints round the 

 net. As stated, the latter is nowhere much less than 

 ten feet in height, and near the supports fully twelve, 

 and yet, given a fair chance, not one animal so much as 

 touched it. Some have taken off close up to it, and 

 curved neatly over, others probably the older rams 

 have risen two or three yards before coming to it and 

 alighted far on the other side. What higher tribute to 

 the powers of an animal which measures but eight and 

 a half hands at the shoulder can be required, and how 

 many trained horses of twice the height could emulate 

 the feat ? 



Provided that the antelopes are released quickly from 

 the net, this form of capture is unattended by much risk ; 

 in fact the only accidents we have had were in one or 

 two cases of stray animals which, at various times, 

 managed to get caught while no one was present, and 

 thus injured themselves, and in early days, before the 

 importance of holding up the captive's head while being 

 carried was appreciated. Of course, all catching of wild 

 animals must be attended by a certain waste of life, 

 however well thought out have been the precautions to 

 avoid it, and all that can be done is to reduce that 

 inevitable waste to as small dimensions as possible. 



By the time we reach home the three captives two 

 full-grown ewes and a young ram have been released 

 in the compound prepared for them. In deference to 

 their jumping capacities this is enclosed by poles set 

 close together, and of a height prohibitive even to im- 

 palas. There is room between each for the animals to 



