Hunting Topi in Africa

The topi (Damaliscus lunatus) is an antelope often overlooked when considering African plains game hunting. This antelope is considered one of the fastest animals worldwide and is known to show extreme sociability, even to other species. Their conservation status is listed as “vulnerable” with numbers decreasing.

These African plains game call the semi-desert, savannah, and seasonal floodplains of sub–Saharan African countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania their home. The largest population of topi is in Southern Sudan and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park.

Topi is known for adopting a sentry approach to security with a lone figure standing atop a termite mound surveying for predators or other signs of danger. Adult males mark territories by spraying urine, dropping dung piles, digging up soil with their horns, and smearing secretions from a gland in front of the eye.

Family herds usually revolve around one male and contain 18–20 females and young. Young males, once run out of the herd, form bachelor groups, and during migration herds will group in the thousands. Males will fight between themselves for dominance while sparring and lunging with their horns.

The topi will happily mingle with other migratory animals like zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest. Predators of the adult topi, like other African big game animals, include the lion and spotted hyena, while jackals are the main threat to calves.

Female topi reaches sexual maturity from around 18 months, and males from 3 years. Gestation lasts 7.5–8 months, and a single calf is birthed, with calves weaned from 4 months of age. The topi birth season depends on the area but usually occurs from July–December.