NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



rays grow hot. Although so heavy an animal, the 

 Eland displays wonderful leaping powers, and some- 

 times when making off they indulge in the pastime 

 of leaping over one another. 



After a gestation period of about eight-and-a-half 

 months a single calf is produced. 



The period of calving differs considerably in the 

 various districts inhabited by these antelopes. 



The Eland breeds freely in captivity and is easily 

 tamed, becoming as docile as an average ox. Major 

 Stevenson-Hamilton mentions having kept some of 

 these animals in a domesticated state. They accom- 

 panied the horses, donkeys and cattle when going 

 out to graze in the mornings, and returned with 

 them at night. On the borders of Natal a friend 

 kept several which were allowed to roam at' will 

 over the farm. They usually hung around the 

 homestead, and turned up with clock-like regularity 

 for their ration of forage or mealies. 



A low grunt is the only sound emitted by the 

 Eland ; but the calves bleat like those of domestic 

 cattle when alarmed. 



An animal dealer in Port Elizabeth regularly 

 shipped Elands to Europe which he obtained from 

 Rhodesia. Many of them, although captured when 

 nearly adult, became tame and docile and almost 

 affectionate within a couple of months. They 

 wandered about his large enclosure consorting with 

 Zebras, Springbucks, Blesbok and other animals. 



It is surprising that more serious and sustained 



138 



