Giant Eland Taurotragus derbianus

Giant Eland Taurotragus derbianus

Red List status: Western subspecies Critically Endangered, Eastern subspecies Vulnerable.

Locations: Found in Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Uganda.

The Giant Eland is the world’s largest #antelope species, famous for their majestic spiral horns and naturally wary disposition. These beautiful #ungulates and their lush African world is diminishing rapidly, with illegal bushmeat hunting, widespread habitat destruction for palm oil, mining and meat; along with armed conflict pushing them towards extinction. #Palmoil and #meat #agriculture contribute to the loss of their vital habitats. Their very existence depends on urgent, collective action. Fight for their survival every time you shop: be #Vegan for them and BoycottPalmOil, Boycott4Wildlife.

Appearance & Behaviour

The Giant Eland stands as a powerful testament to the wild heart of Africa. Males, weighing between 400 to 1,200 kilograms and standing up to 1.8 metres at the shoulder, are larger than females, who typically weigh 300 to 600 kilograms. Their smooth coat ranges from reddish-brown to chestnut, often darkening in males with age, and is marked by 8 to 12 distinct vertical white stripes. Both sexes possess tightly spiralled, V-shaped horns, which can reach an impressive 124 centimetres in males. A prominent crest of short black hair runs along their neck and shoulders, while a large, pendulous dewlap hangs from their throat, particularly noticeable in older males.

Despite their considerable size, Giant Elands are remarkably agile; they can run at over 70 kilometres per hour and clear heights of 1.5 metres with surprising ease. They are naturally alert and wary, making them difficult to approach. Primarily nocturnal, they form small herds, typically numbering 15 to 25 individuals, though adult males may remain solitary for periods. A distinct clicking sound, believed to come from their hooves, accompanies their movement. When danger is perceived, a dominant bull emits deep, resonant barks, alerting the entire herd to flee.

Threats

Agricultural expansiom

The Giant Eland’s vital habitat is rapidly shrinking and fragmenting due to the relentless expansion of human and domesticated livestock populations. Woodlands and savannahs, their ancient homes, are cleared for meat agriculture, transforming diverse ecosystems into barren landscapes. This encroachment directly threatens their food and water sources, pushing Giant Elands into increasingly marginal and unsuitable areas.

Lack of genetic diversity

As the land is cleared, historical migration routes are blocked, severing genetic exchange between populations and making them more vulnerable to localised extinction. The relentless pressure from human expansion leaves no respite for these magnificent antelopes, continually diminishing their living space and access to essential resources.

Disease outbreaks

Historically, widespread disease outbreaks have had catastrophic impacts on Giant Eland populations. The rinderpest epidemic of 1983–1984, for instance, caused a devastating 60–80% decline in Eastern Giant Eland numbers, illustrating the species’ high susceptibility to such illnesses. While directly linked outbreaks like rinderpest have been largely eradicated, the inherent vulnerability of eland populations to disease, potentially exacerbated by stress from habitat loss and contact with domestic livestock, remains a significant concern for their long-term survival and recovery.

Hunting and illegal bushmeat trade

The illegal bushmeat trade is the most devastating threat to the Giant Eland, inflicting immense suffering and driving rapid population declines. Elands are indiscriminately killed in wire snares, shot, or chased down by hunting dogs, leading to prolonged agony and an excruciating end. This ruthless trade is purely profit-driven, shattering family groups. The Critically Endangered Western Giant Eland is now confined to a single, isolated population in Senegal, numbering fewer than 200 individuals, yet poachers continue to invade even this last stronghold. Eastern populations in Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad, and South Sudan are also collapsing as illegal hunters operate with impunity, exploiting weak law enforcement.

Climate change

Delayed rains wither crucial browse species, forcing herds to trek farther for nourishment. Prolonged droughts concentrate elands at dwindling waterholes—prime sites for poachers. Unpredictable fruiting cycles leave mothers malnourished during lactation.

Political instability and armed conflict

The political instability, wars, and civil conflicts prevalent across parts of the Giant Eland’s range pose severe threats to their survival. In areas like the Central African Republic and South Sudan, armed conflicts create an environment of lawlessness, allowing illegal bushmeat hunting to flourish unchecked as conservation efforts collapse.

Geographic Range

The Giant Eland once roamed across a broad swathe of Central and West Africa, from Senegal to the Nile. Today, their range is severely fragmented and reduced. The Critically Endangered Western Giant Eland is primarily restricted to Senegal, particularly within Niokolo-Koba National Park. The Vulnerable Eastern Giant Eland maintains a broader, yet still scattered, distribution across countries like Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, and South Sudan. However, this range has significantly contracted from its historical extent across the African savannah due to relentless habitat destruction and hunting pressures. While some populations are showing increases in less disturbed areas, the overall trend points to a shrinking and increasingly isolated existence for these magnificent antelopes.

Diet

The Giant Eland is a selective browser and grazer, adapting their diet to the seasonal availability of vegetation. Primarily herbivorous, they consume a wide variety of grasses, leaves, and other plant parts. In the wet season, they graze on lush grasses of the savannah, while in drier periods, they shift to browsing on foliage, branches, and even fruits like plums. They are known to use their powerful horns to break off branches, allowing them access to higher leaves and shoots. This adaptable feeding strategy enables them to survive in diverse African savannah landscapes, playing a vital role in shaping their environment.

Mating and Reproduction

Giant Elands breed throughout the year, though mating often peaks during the wet season when resources are abundant. As polygynous animals, dominant males engage in intense displays to secure mating rights. After a gestation period of approximately nine months, a single calf is born, typically at night, and remains hidden in dense vegetation for several months. The mother returns regularly to nurse and protect their young, forming a strong bond. Calves stay close to their mothers for about six months, learning crucial survival skills. Females reach sexual maturity around two years of age, while males mature later, typically between four and five years.

FAQs

What is the Giant Eland?

The Giant Eland Taurotragus derbianus), also known as the Lord Derby’s Eland, is the largest species of antelope in the world. Males can weigh up to 1,200 kilograms (2,650 pounds) and stand up to 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) at the shoulder. Both males and females possess characteristic spiral horns. They are generally reddish-brown to chestnut in color, with 8–12 vertical white stripes on their torso. They are primarily nocturnal and are naturally alert and wary.

Where do Giant Elands live?

Giant Elands are found in Central and West Africa, specifically in Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, and Uganda. They inhabit broad-leafed savannahs, woodlands, and glades, and can also be found in forests, on the fringes of deserts, and in mountainous regions. They typically prefer areas near hilly or rocky landscapes and water sources. They are no longer present in The Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo.

What do Giant Elands eat?

Giant Elands are herbivores, consuming grasses, foliage, and branches. Their diet includes weeds and other lower-quality plant material if better options are scarce. They also eat fruits, such as plums, when available. In drier conditions, they can obtain water from succulent plants and conserve moisture by resting during the day and feeding at night.

What are the key characteristics of a Giant Eland?

Key characteristics include their immense size, with males being significantly larger than females. Both sexes have V-shaped, tightly spiraled horns (up to 124 cm in males) and a distinctive dewlap—a large flap of skin hanging under their chin, more prominent in males. They have a crest of short black hair along their neck, black and white markings above their hooves, and a chevron (a thin line) between their eyes. They are agile jumpers, capable of clearing fences up to 1.5 metres (4.9 feet) high, and can run at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph). They also produce a distinct clicking sound from their hooves as they walk.

What threats do Giant Elands face?

The primary threats to Giant Eland populations are overhunting for their meat and habitat destruction caused by the expansion of palm oil agriculture and livestock populations. Natural causes such as droughts and competition from domestic animals also contribute to their decline. Historically, populations were severely impacted by rinderpest outbreaks and conflicts, which continue to affect their habitats.

How long do Giant Elands live?

Giant Elands have a potential lifespan of up to 25 years in the wild, though they typically live around 20 years in captivity.

Take Action!

Fight for the mighty Giant Eland’s survival! When you shop make sure #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife and choose #Vegan #BoycottMeat. Support indigenous-led land stewardship.

Support the Giant Eland by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Gueye, M., Brandlová, K., Rabeil, T., Diop, M. M., Diop, B., & Hejcmanová, P. (2021). Spatially restricted occurrence and low abundance as key tools for conservation of critically endangered large antelope in West African savannah. Scientific Reports, 11, 19397. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-98649-7

Ibiso, G., Akani, G. C., Nioking, A., & Onuegbu, G. C. (2021, December 7). Population Abundance of Antelopes Based on Prevalence in Some Selected Markets in Rivers State, Nigeria. African Journal of Environment and Natural Science Research, 4(3), 45-57. https://doi.org/10.52589/AJENSR-LJSUKZEA

IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group. 2017. Tragelaphus derbianus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T44172A50197518. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T44172A50197518.en. Accessed on 19 June 2025.

Hernández-Blanco, J. A., et al. (2021). Spatially restricted occurrence and low abundance as key tools for the conservation of the critically endangered Western Derby eland. Scientific Reports, 11, 19782.

---

---