Poaching May Endanger Giant Sable Antelope
2 December 2010



Luanda — Poaching and poor natural parks might control might reduce the number of existing specimens of the giant sable antelope and destroy its habitat.

This was said Thursday in Luanda by the chancellor of Agostinho Neto University (UAN), Orlando da Mata, Thursday in Luanda.

The official was speaking at the opening of the workshop on Implementation of the Giant Sable Antelope Conservation Project.

Orlando da Mata said that during the period of war in Angola, the protected zones, including the sable antelope habitat suffered the consequences of the conflict, leading to a reduction in the number of specimens of the animal.

In order to reverse the situation, he defended the implementation of the sable antelope conservation project in the Cangandala National Park and Luando Natural Integral Reserve.

He said the intention is to secure a large area of conservation and its expansion to all zones of the park.

The programme is also intended to secure the preservation of other bio-diversity of the region, he also said.

The chancellor also spoke of the need to involve the community in the project, through the elaboration and implementation of environment education programmes, so the members directly participate in the management and protection of the antelope and all bio-diversity.

According to Orlando da Mata, there is also need to establish the needs of the communities and the relation they keep with the sable antelope, thus helping the authorities with the species preservation effort.

He said the project will thus pave the way for protection of the antelope in their areas of origin in a sustainable way, by involving the local populations.

The official also recommended the creation of programmes of scientific research with contribution of higher education and research institutions.


Oralando da Mata recalled that the Giant Sable Antelope is part of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity, approved by the Cabinet Council in 2006.

The giant sable antelope, one of the world's most beautiful species, has its habitat limited within the province of Malanje (north), in the Cangandala National Park and Luando Integral Natural Reserve.

Due to its rarity, the Giant Sable Antelope was included on the list of species under protection (class A) by the Convention on Protection of Africa's Fauna and Flora, of 1933.

The event is being attended by representatives of Government institutions, high ranking officers of the Angolan Armed Forces, university teachers and students, researchers and other people associated to the animal protection and conservation programmes.

I really wish them luck. I spent a lot of time in Angola during the last few years of the war. I have never seen greater misery and devastation anywhere except Sudan.

If they can pull this off, they are to be congratulated.

IMHO it is virtually impossible at this point in time to set up a long term project within the region that will be safeguarded from corruption and poaching related issues.

More developed African countries struggle themselves to achieve sustainained wildlife conservation.

My general thoughts are (and I have mentioned this before) is that the ONLY viable way forward in Africa for (true wildlife conservation) is to privatise and create more secure fenced game ranches where animals can be bred in captivity.

The old idea of large game parks worked well in stable colonial times when resources were abundant and management professional. In these fragile times with human habitat expansion and hunger more widespread the old model does not work very well.

It still amazes me how some well meaning people outside of Africa waste money and resources in trying to fund projects in Africa when in a good number of instances the money seems to go into a black hole !!

Cheers, Peter