The Koodoo 44.7 



with meat and not wishing to delay my journey, and so we slowly passed 

 out of sight ; but the picture of those eight splendid beasts standing 

 motionless on the water's edge, beneath the tall acacias, lives with me 

 still, as does the image of many another similar scene, which the spread 

 of civilisation and the effects of the late terrible plague of rinderpest make 

 it impossible that any man can ever see again in Southern Africa. 



Of all the animals I have ever met with, I think the koodoo is the 

 most timid, inoffensive, and least capable of defending itself. I have never 

 seen one make any attempt to use its large horns in self-defence when 

 attacked by dogs, or even kick as an eland will do at its tormentors. The 

 bulls doubtless butt at one another when disputing for the possession of the 

 females, but I doubt if they often do one another any serious damage. 



The foregoing notes on the koodoo embody my experience of that 

 animal during the time of my residence in the interior of South Africa — 

 that is, from 1871 to 1896 ; but I have reason to believe that since the 

 latter date, the terrible scourge of rinderpest has worked such dreadful 

 havoc amongst the koodoos, that in many districts in which these splendid 

 antelopes were still numerous in 1895, tnev have now absolutely ceased 

 to exist. I trust that the reports I have received have been somewhat 

 exaggerated, but I fear there can be no doubt that the horrible plague 

 which has been slowly sweeping through Africa during the last ten years 

 has found the noble-looking koodoo more susceptible to its subtle poison 

 than any other animal, wild or domestic, that has been subjected to its 

 baneful influence. F. C. Selous. 



Distribution North of the Zambesi to Abyssinia, excluding 

 somaliland 



From the Zambesi northwards until Abyssinia is reached, the distribu- 

 tion of the koodoo is peculiar, large areas being entirely unfrequented by it ; 



