The Puku Antelope

From the contents:
» From nose to tail – Morphology and anatomy
» History of discovery and the special relationship between puku and kob antelope
» Waterbuck & kin and the family of hollow-horned ruminants
» Geographical distribution in Africa
» Habitat, population and social structure
» Nothing but grass? Diet and variability
» Life in the savannah
» Territorial behaviour and reproduction
» Behaviour patterns during the day and year
» Pukus and humans – threats and chances of survival

The puku antelope is inconspicuous at first sight – a medium-sized even-toed ungulate with
golden-yellow fur that occurs in south-central Africa, especially in Zambia and Tanzania,
where it lives mostly in grasslands along rivers and lakes. Adult males carry lyre-shaped
horns and defend territories, while females, juveniles and bachelors roam in unstable
groups. A closer look reveals: pukus are fascinating. Typical grazers, but their diet is far from
monotonous. Apparently also significant: woodlands. Unexpected: Pukus lie in the African
sun in the middle of the day. Special feature: Pukus whistle. This book tells us about their life
in the savannah, their relationship to other antelope species, their predators and more.
Since 2007, Dr Vera Rduch has been studying pukus and has contributed significantly to
the research on this antelope species. She takes us on a journey to see them in Africa. This
volume of the Neue Brehm-Bücherei is the first monograph on this species, a comprehensive
account of what has been observed and researched since it was mentioned by David
Livingstone in 1857, up to the current threats from poaching and habitat loss.

This book is based on the German edition of Die Puku-Antilope (1st edition 2022).