African Hunting the Black Springbok

The springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a medium-sized antelope inhabiting Southern Africa. This graceful antelope is a common sight in the region and remains a popular option when hunting in Africa. The IUCN lists the springboks’ conservation status as “least concern.” 

But even more picturesque than this graceful antelope, is a color variant that has been bred on South African and Namibian game farms, namely the black springbok. This black springbok is a prized game hunting trophy for hunting enthusiasts worldwide. The black springbok is not the only color variant of this elegant gazelle, with two more variants available, namely the white and copper-colored springbok. 

Springbok hunting in Africa occurs in Southern Africa’s most arid regions,  with Namibia and South Africa having springbok hunting adventures available. The springbok is often part of African plains game hunting packages. 

Springboks are herbivores, consuming a diet of grasses, succulents, and shrubs. Springboks are water-independent and can go for days without drinking. They gain moisture by selecting a variety of flowers, seeds, and shrubs and consuming them when the plants are moisture-rich and succulent. 

The springbok has a unique pronking or stotting behavior that is characterized by their ability to straighten their legs, making them rigid as they jump. This propels them high into the air as if they were bouncing along. These jumps or leaps can reach remarkable heights of up to 6 feet at a time! This, together with their speed where they reach up to 55 miles per hour, assists them in evading predators.

The springbok is prey for many predators in the wild, such as lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, caracals, leopards, crocodiles, pythons, and wild dogs. Juveniles are preyed on by smaller carnivores such as raptors, black-backed jackals, and African wildcats.