ANIMAL OF THE WEEK – LENCHWE
By Derek Mwale
The animal kingdom, the genesis. It all began in a Sea. The mold of creation where all creatures sprang from. From a single cell in the water gave birth to millions of animals in the sea and on land . Animals of different sizes, shapes and nature. Some beautiful, others well to put in simple words ‘beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder’. And God, Nature and the Universe are the beholder. All creatures created by Nature or God are considered alluring.
The Lenchwe is the moon in this blissful night. An animal wealth earning a citizenship in Zambia. This animal is native in Zambia. And it is indigenous to only the parts of Zambia. Don’t know how this creature only ended up in Zambia, but I hope the History channel or National Geographic will do their job to find out more about this amazing animal. I have only four words to describe this animal. ‘Es ist sehr schon’, translation it is very beautiful.
The Lenchwe belongs to the family of Antelopes species. It is a herbivore feeding on naturally occurring plants. This gives them an effect on the structure of vegetation. This gives them an ecological importance because they maintain the health of grasslands by taking control plant species distribution. This makes them primary consumers in a food chain. And sadly, They are prey to savannah’s big cats and other predators.
Beauty as it is, it’s a creature objective enough to be describe physically. In appearance you can easily distinguish between a male and a female Lenchwe. Males have long spiraled horns that reach up to 0.9m in length. Visually making them outstanding among herbivore species but similar to the Antelope family. Their fur is often brown, with markings which are dark and reddish brown in the breeding season.
Lenchwes are found in naturally occupied grasslands with vegetation. And they can easily adapt to wet habitants compared to other antelope species. Allowing them to effortlessly access water and food sources. This preference to such habitants makes them hard to spot in nature. You might never know you can run into one someday.
Occupying such areas to evolve in a certain way. Like having hooves that are unique and are capable of adapting to muddy and swampy terrains. Allowing them to move in a well-organized manner across soft grounds without sinking. This trait makes them great swimmers which is highly significant to their survival. They have the ability to navigate through deep water to flee from predators. And lastly, the trait helps them to find food.
These animals a very anti-social. Especially male ones, cause they usually form bachelor herds if they decide not to ride solo. Leaving the females in groups with their respective offsprings. They quite similar to how I associate. If reincarnation turns out to be true I would want to be a Lenchwe. Bonus for me cause I still get to keep my Zambian Citizenship. But when it is breeding season the Male Lenchwes’ are the most vocal in order to attract females. They even become territorial to levels of engaging in combat to assert dominance and access of female groups.
The Lenchwe species are Indigenous to Zambia meaning they can only be found in Zambia. In Zambia, They hold a cultural significance within local communities. Mostly featuring in folklores and stories told among the local people. And also they used in traditional practices related to hunting and wildlife conservation.
These species face dangers of been extinct as the population has not been sufficient since recent years. This is due to activities involving agriculture and urbanization as they contribute in destroying natural occurring habitants. And illegal poaching pose a greater threat as their among wild animals which are in demand. Partially, climate change also disturb how their habitants are natured making it hard for them to survive.
The Lenchwe might be a prey in nature but a predator in behaviour. As they are willing to put up a fight for survival. In the Safari it’s stuff but each and every animal is equipped with tools and traits to survive it. Even I can survive it, cause I am the most capable and toughest animal to exist.
