SCIENTIFIC NAME: Aepyceros melampus

The Impala is a renowned graceful jumper and is considered one of the most beautiful antelope. It has a shiny reddish coat and long slender legs. The impala is also considered the most abundant and widespread antelope species. Female herds share the duty of guarding their young and groups number 50 to 100. Females will break away from the herd to give birth in isolation, but all the calves in a particular area are born within a restricted period of a few weeks. Male Impala are very territorial and have strong ringed horns used in frequent test of fitness. They make leaps as long as 30 ft and as high as 10 ft. Their social organization consists of males, which are territorial only during the breeding season and bachelor and breeding herds. They are predominantly diurnal, but rest during the hottest parts of the day.