[Animals] Angola nearly lost its national animal to poaching

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With its long, ridged horns and muscular build, the giant sable antelope is a majestic sight — and a rare one at that.

This particular antelope, endemic only to Angola, in southwest Africa, is critically endangered, with a po[CENSORED]tion of just a few hundred.

While its situation is still precarious, the giant sable is a story of conservation success — bringing an almost extinct animal back from the brink.

The giant sable antelope was first discovered in the early 20th century and went on to become Angola’s national animal. However, due to their striking horns, the antelopes soon became a target for poachers, says renowned Angolan conservationist Pedro Vaz Pinto.

In 1975, their prospects took a turn for the worse when a civil war broke out in Angola following its independence from Portugal. Over the next 27 years, the conflict devastated the country’s wildlife and the giant sable was no exception.

The war led to intensive poaching for the animal’s meat and horns. Habitat loss, and a lack of conservation measures, exacerbated the problem.

“Initially, no one really knew if the giant sable had survived the civil war,” says Vaz Pinto.

A biologist with a passion for wildlife and a background in field research throughout Africa, Vaz Pinto first became interested in the plight of the giant sable simply because no one else was looking into the matter, he tells CNN.

“It took years until I finally was completely drawn into it, and then there was no turning back,” he says.

 

 

Angola nearly lost its national animal to poaching. Here’s how a team of dedicated conservationists fought to bring it back | CNN