32 



WILD LIFE PROTECTION FUND 



numerous, and numbers are also still found in all suit- 

 able localities (i. e., bush country outside the actual sand- 

 veld) north of the Mkuzi, throughout the Ubombo and 

 Ingwavuma divisions of Zululand. 



This antelope is of a shy, retiring nature and inhabits 

 almost impenetrable thickets, so that given a fair chance it 

 should not be in any danger of becoming exterminated. 

 The attitude of the authorities of the Native Affairs De- 

 partment in Natal is, however, apparently one utterly lack- 

 ing in sympathy for these beautiful creatures. North of 

 Zululand, Nyala were common at Matope, south of Delgoa 

 Bay, but are getting scarcer every year. A few still linger 

 in the bush near Lourenco Marquez, and some are found 

 also in isolated patches north of this place. 



There is also a small territory on the Inyamapuzi River 

 in Gorongoza, north of Beira, inhabited by these antelope, 

 and another north of the Zambesi in British Nyasaland. 

 This is the northern limit of their range. 



THE BONTEBOK (Damaliscus pygargus). 



This rare antelope is the southern relative of the Bles- 

 bok (D. albifrons) and only about 200 are left alive today. 

 These are strictly preserved by the Cape Provincial Ad- 

 ministration and by their owners, as they exist in a semi- 

 domesticated condition. 



Herds are to be found on four farms in- the Bredas- 

 dorp district and a few on three farms in the Swellendam 

 district; and had it not been for the praiseworthy efforts 

 of the original owners — the Van der Byls and Albertyns — 

 this animal would no doubt belong to the past, in company 

 with the extinct Bluebuck and Quagga. 



The Bontebok is Royal Game and may only be shot 

 during the open season. The number is limited to 121/2 

 per cent and is controlled by the issue of permits as rec- 



