Scientists at the Kruger National Park have been working to ensure that people on safari holidays in South Africa have the highest chance of seeing as many sable antelope as possible.
A study is underway to monitor the declining numbers of sable around the Punda Maria area of the park, which recently saw the addition of four more animals.
SANParks, the company responsible for running Kruger Park, said it was a concern that sable antelope numbers have been declining since the late 1980s.
In order to ensure that people on safari in Kruger Park have a good chance of seeing the animals, scientists are monitoring their locations, movement patterns, eating habits and their competition with buffalo and zebra for food.
However, tagging the animals for this purpose is a difficult task, SANParks veterinarian Dr Markus Hofmeyr explained.
"It was a challenge to dart these animals from the air as they run fast, twisting and turning and making it difficult to dart them," he said.
Kruger Park covers an area of nearly two million hectares and offers people on safari holidays in South Africa the opportunity to see lions, buffalo, rhinoceros, leopards and many other animals.
2 by 2 Holidays are specialists in safaris, holidays and travel to South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, and Mauritius. Click here for more information on South Africa holidays or safari in Kruger Park.
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