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Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

Blesbok is listed as Least Concern. The subspecies D. p. phillipsi is abundant on both formally and privately protected land. A minimum population size of 54,426 mature individuals of D. p. phillipsi is estimated (using a 70% mature population structure) across 678 protected areas and wildlife ranches (counts between 2010 and 2016). There are at least an estimated 17,235 animals (counts between 2013 and 2016) on formally protected areas across the country. The population has increased significantly over three generations (1990-2015) in formally protected areas across its range and it is suspected to have also increased on private lands. Apart from hybridisation there are currently no major threats to long-term survival. The number of mature individuals of D. p. pygargrus is estimated at 752–1,618 individuals, but the number of pure Bontebok is unknown and the area of occupancy is limited and available habitat is decreasing.

Distribution

Blesbok is endemic to southern Africa. Historically, Damaliscus pygargus pygargus ranged across the Highveld grasslands of South Africa in the Free State and Gauteng provinces, extending into northwestern KwaZulu-Natal, and through parts of the Karoo in the Eastern and Northern Cape. Damaliscus p. phillipsi is endemic to the Western Cape, the ranges of the two forms separated by over 300 km (Skinner and Chimimba 2005).

Range and population were reduced by hunting in the 19th century but populations of D. p. phillipsi have recovered remarkably, especially on private land, and have been relocated across South Africa to regions both within and outside its indigenous range (for example, Power 2014). Formerly present in western Lesotho, but hunted to extinction before 1900 (Lynch 1994). Swaziland is outside the historical range, but extralimital introductions have occurred in Malolotja Nature Reserve and Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Monadjem 1998). The species has also been introduced to private game farms outside its indigenous range in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia (East 1999).

Damaliscus p. pygargus are endemic to the Western Cape, South Africa, although introductions have been made in most provinces. Historically, they were confined to the coastal plain east of the Kogelberg in the Western Cape where they are believed to have concentrated on the renosterveld areas (Boshoff and Kerley 2001, Skead 2011). Extra-limital subpopulations have been established on private farms or ranches in at least the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State and North West provinces, and there is pressure to increase the extent of introduction (Power 2014).

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

East (1999) estimated there to be at least 235,000-240,000 Blesbok (stable or increasing), of which 97% occur on private farms and 3% in protected areas, and at least 2,300 Bontebok (increasing).

Currently, the total population of D. p. phillipsi is estimated to be at least 77,751 animals (2010–2016 counts) on 678 protected areas and wildlife ranches, equating to 54,426 mature individuals using a 70% mature population structure. On formally protected areas, there were at least 17,235 animals counted between 2013 and 2016 (EWT unpubl. data).

For D. p. pygargus the population in all formally protected areas and private ranches within both the natural and benign introduction range is estimated at 752–1,618 mature individuals. However, this estimate does not account for hybridisation which might reduce the number of eligible private subpopulations dramatically. Outside the natural and benign introduction range, there are an observed 4,857 individuals which are not included in this assessment as they are not considered free-ranging (IUCN Standards and Petitions Subcommittee 2014).

Threats

The translocation of both Blesbok and Bontebok outside their natural range is a significant threat to the continued existence of the two subspecies, as hybridisation takes place and becomes increasingly likely.

The major threats for D. p. pygargus are hybridisation with D. p. phillipsi, the lack of available habitat within the natural range, low genetic diversity (probably the result of two bottlenecks caused by overhunting and disease; van der Walt et al. 2001) and poor gene flow between subpopulations. The overall management concern is the lack of a metapopulation management strategy for this subspecies.

Hybridisation is currently a priority issue in D. p. pygargus, but the extent of hybridisation in the D. p. phillipsi population is currently unknown and further research is required. Breeding of colour variants that may be associated with deleterious mutations may, if released in large numbers, reduce effective population size and can affect wild populations if carriers are released into formally protected areas.

Uses and trade

Used for commercial trophy hunting on a national and international scale, and by subsistence hunters for meat. They are also sold as live animals at game auctions. Damaliscus p. phillipsi are culled for management purposes and commercially for meat. They have also recently been bred intensively for colour variants. D. p. phillipsi are a flagship, endemic species for South Africa’s Highveld grasslands, and are a valuable component of South Africa’s commercial hunting industry. Damaliscus p. pygargus are a flagship subspecies of the Cape Floristic Region, particularly renosterveld, and can be used in ecotourism ventures.

Conservation

The Bontebok D. p. pygargus is listed in CITES Appendix II.

This species occurs within a number of formally and privately protected areas across a number of provinces in South Africa. The economic value and popularity of D. p. phillipsi on private farms has enabled this subspecies to re-occupy large areas of its original range and substantial extra-limital subpopulations have also been established on private land outside its natural range in South Africa and elsewhere. Identification of hybrid populations and the restrictions on movement of hybrids are recommended as key actions to conserve the subspecies.

For D. p. pygargus, key protected areas include Bontebok National Park (genetically certified pure subpopulation within the natural range); Table Mountain National Park (genetically certified pure subpopulation within the benign introduction range); De Hoop Nature Reserve and Denel Overberg Test Range (largest subpopulation within the natural range); and Agulhas National Park (potential for significant subpopulation growth within the natural range). A metapopulation management plan covering all the fragmented subpopulations is urgently needed.

See the subspecies accounts for detailed recommendations.

References

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