THE BLESBOK 



In some of the sketches and paintings of the early- 

 travellers in South Africa, the Blesbok is depicted 

 in small herds feeding out on the Karpo-veld along 

 with the Zebra, Ostrich, Springbok and Wildebeest. 



The Blesbok congregated in small herds and 

 frequented the vast plains of the high veld, vsrhere it 

 was hunted and slain in great numbers. Retiring 

 from these exposed plains it fled to the bush-veld, 

 but so relentlessly has it been hunted that to-day 

 it has almost, if not quite, ceased to exist in the wild 

 condition. Its species, however, is in no danger of 

 extinction, for herds of them are preserved on a 

 considerable number of fenced farms in the Cape 

 Province and Free State. These captive antelopes 

 breed freely and are regarded by the farmers as a 

 valuable asset. The herds are thinned out each 

 season and the carcases command a good price on 

 the market, as the venison is excellent though some- 

 what dry. First-class biltong is made from it. 



The Blesbok, moreover, in the future will command 

 a good price from animal dealers for supplying 

 Zoological Gardens in various parts of the world, 

 and as Museum specimens. Owners of herds would, 

 therefore, do well to take every care of them. The 

 gradual extinction of a herd through inbreeding 

 may be prevented by the introduction of males 

 from other herds from time to time. 



In former days, when the country was open 

 and free, the Blesbok migrated across the Vaal 

 south to the Karoo-veld in the winter, and back 



IS 



