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Hunting Thomson's Gazelle In Africa

Thomson’s gazelle is the most common type of gazelle found in eastern Africa

Thomson’s gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) is the most common type of gazelle found in eastern Africa and a popular trophy when on an Africa plains game hunting safari. They are native to Kenya and Tanzania and are found in savanna, farmland and grassland habitats, with a favorite habitat being the Serengeti region of Kenya and Tanzania. Their conservation status with the IUCN is listed as “near threatened.”

Thomson’s gazelles are named after researcher Joseph Thomson and are sometimes referred to as “tommies.” They are sociable animals and live in herds that may comprise as few as ten to as many as a couple of hundred or even thousand animals during the rainy season. An advantage of staying in larger herds is that it allows more eyes to be on the lookout for danger, such as cheetahs who love to feed on gazelle.

Breeding happens throughout the year with females giving birth up to twice a year. After a six-month gestation period, the female will give birth to one or two fawns. The births peak after the rainy season but births do happen throughout the year. The fawns are hidden to start with and are raised in a secluded area by the mother who suckles them. By age three to four months, they start grazing with their mother and are independent member of the herd by six months.

Thomson’s gazelles are herbivores and typically consume short grasses which make up 90% of their diet. They supplement this with twigs, tree leaves and seeds, especially during the dry season.

Being relatively small and slender, the Thomson’s gazelle has several predators that prey on it, including leopards, lions, and hyenas. When threatened by predators, it starts “pronking” or “stotting” where it energetically bounces up and down when fleeing to warn others of the danger or threat.

It is an extremely fast gazelle, reaching up to 50-55 miles per hour, which allows it to outrun many of their predators. It is the fourth fastest land animal behind the cheetah, pronghorn and springbok.

AT A GLANCE

Name:
Eudorcas Thomsonii

Weight:
33-77 pounds

Shoulder Height:
21-32 inches

Range:
Kenya & Tanzania

Gestation Period:
6 months

Life span:
10-15 years

Hunting Thompson's Gazelle

The Thompson’s Gazelle is a popular choice when on game hunting safari in Kenya and Tanzania

Size and Appearance

At times, the Thomson’s gazelle may be confused with the Grant’s gazelle. They can easily be differentiated as the Grant’s gazelle is smaller in size and the white patch on its rump extends above the tail. When on a hunting safari in Tanzania or Kenya, spotting the Thomson’s gazelle will be an easy exercise if you keep a lookout for: A relatively small antelope with a light sandy-brown coat; Darker stripes running down its sides and across its flanks from the upper foreleg to just above the upper hind leg; A white patch over the rump of the animal; A white underbelly; White rings around the eyes, black stripes running from the corner of the eye to the nose, with a dark patch on its nose; Ridged horns that curve backwards. Both males and females have horns, but the female’s horns are shorter, slimmer, and smoother – or they may not have horns at all! Females are typically smaller than males that weigh 33-77 lb and are 31.5-47.2 in in length.

Hunting Methods

A choice of hunting methods is available when hunting this speedy African plains game antelope, including the ever popular walk and stalk technique, as well as targeting the antelope from a blind.

Challenges and Rewards

This antelope is extremely quick, making it a very challenging target for any game hunter. A game hunting safari on the Serengeti plains, targeting the Thomson’s gazelle during an Africa plains game hunt is a dream for many hunting enthusiasts. This beautiful gazelle will be an apt reward and a great talking point in any trophy room worldwide!

Rifles and Requirements

When hunting Thomson’s gazelle, these small sized antelopes do not always present the perfect broadside for the traditional heart / lung shot placement. As shots may be a little “riskier”, a higher caliber rifle such as a .270 or .308 is preferred. A well-placed shot from a lighter caliber such as a .243 loaded with 100 grains will also get the job done.