Home › Mammalia › Bovidae › Giant Eland (Taurotragus derbianus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Giant Eland (Taurotragus derbianus)
Taurotragus
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
West and Central Africa
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Wooded savanna
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Bovidae
GENUS
Taurotragus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 1.8 m at shoulder; up to 1,000 kg
COLORATION
Rufous-brown with white body stripes and spiral horns
ADAPTATIONS
Largest antelope; herds roam huge home ranges
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Wooded savanna
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
West and Central Africa
REPRODUCTION
Single calf
DIET DETAILS
Leaves, branches and fruit
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Poaching, habitat loss, disease
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The largest antelope in the world, bulls can weigh as much as a tonne.
2
The West African population survives mainly in Senegal's Niokolo-Koba park.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Niokolo-Koba National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
November-June
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Track in the woodlands of Niokolo-Koba with rangers; the shy giant eland is Africa's largest antelope.
