The common tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus), also referred to as the sassaby, is recognized as an independent species by some organizations, and others see it as a subspecies in the same category as the topi and a relative to the bontebok. Although its numbers are decreasing, its status is listed as “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Common tsessebe are native to prime African game hunting areas such as Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. Zambian tsessebe populations are darker in color than those in other areas.
The tsessebe favors the open grasslands, where their speed is their greatest advantage over predators like lions, hyenas, and leopards. When confronted by smaller predators such as jackals and small cats, the tsessebe will fight first and flee later.
Tsessebe are extremely territorial, marking their boundaries with pre-orbital gland secretions and urine, much like their family, the topi. A gesture of showing territory to outsiders involves kneeling and horning the ground. Other shows of territorial dominance include grunting, shoulder swiping, high stepping, and moving with an upright posture. The tsessebe also enjoy covering themselves in mud, using their horns to scoop and sling mud over their backs.
They are social creatures and will form larger herds, having no issue with sharing their space with zebras, wildebeests, and even ostriches. Females will form herds of 6–10 members. When the young bulls reach about a year, they are kicked out of the herd and join bachelor bull herds numbering into the 30s.
Tsessebe are grazers and are active in the early morning after sunrise and again later in the afternoon. They will take time after eating to rest and digest. They walk up to three miles along territorial borders to find water.
Mating season starts in late February into March and sometimes stretches into May. The mating time starts with males forming leks (groups) where the female chooses her mating partner. These groups provide protection from predators, allow for even sharing of resources such as food and water, and ensure a greater variety of choices for breeding partners.
Gestation lasts around seven months, and one calf is born. Births peak in the rainy season, and these young will reach sexual maturity in 2-3.5 years.
