Hirola Antelope is a rare antelope that lives in the Hirola Basin of Kenya. The antelopes are endangered, with only 400 of these species left in the world. This animal has been on the IUCN Red List since 1988 and it is estimated that it will become extinct in less than 10 years if nothing changes to protect them.
The hirola population has declined by over 95% in the last four decades. They have experienced a consistent decline since the 1970s from approximately 15,000 individuals to less than 500 individuals currently. There are currently less than 500 hirola individuals in the world, with all occurring in the wild.
How many hirola antelopes are there in the world?
Hirola are critically endangered and their numbers continue to decline in the wild. There are between 300–500 individuals in the wild and none currently in captivity. Despite being one of the rarest antelopes, conservation measures for the hirola antelope have so far been marginal.
What happened to the hirola?
According to a document produced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature “the loss of the hirola would be the first extinction of a mammalian genus on mainland Africa in modern human history”.
Another popular inquiry is “Why did the hirola go extinct?”.
The reason for the massive decline in population is a combination of habit loss, poaching and even natural drought. Once common throughout Africa the Hirola are now only found along the border of Kenya and Somalia, however it is now believed that the Somalian population may be completely extinct.
Where is the hirola found?
The hirola (Beatragus hunteri), Hunter’s hartebeest or Hunter’s antelope, is a critically endangered antelope species found on the border between Kenya and Somalia. They were discovered by the big game hunter and zoologist H.
More recent findings identify rangeland degradation as the ultimate driver of hirola declines. Hirola are a grassland species preferring habitat with less than 30% tree cover.
Anothetr defining feature of the Hirola is their horns which are prominent in both males and females of the species. The Hirola boast great horns that can reach up to lengths of 70cm and are essential for defense against predators and inter-species rivalries.