Rare Upemba Lechwe Antelope Photographed for the First Time in Over 50 Years

In a groundbreaking discovery, wildlife researchers have photographed the rare Upemba Lechwe antelope in southern DR Congo, revealing a population of fewer than 100. With escalating threats to their habitat, experts emphasize the dire need for conservation efforts to save this endangered species.

In a world first, wildlife researchers have successfully captured and published a photo of the critically endangered Upemba Lechwe, an elusive antelope native to the Kamalondo Depression in southern Democratic Republic of Congo. During an aerial survey, researchers identified a mere ten individuals of the species, suggesting that the entire population may fall below 100.

Manuel Weber, who spearheaded the survey, described the species as existing "on the very brink," as indicated in a statement from Upemba National Park. The Upemba Lechwe are distinct among antelopes due to the absence of dark stripes on their legs and lack of dark patches on their shoulders, making them easily recognizable.

Weber highlighted the Kamalondo Depression as "a magical place in terms of biodiversity," but he cautioned that the region is facing significant conservation challenges. Issues such as a growing human population, along with fishing and hunting activities, pose severe threats to the local ecosystem.

"The fact that the Upemba Lechwe is still hanging on at all is extraordinary," Weber noted in the national park's statement. However, the urgency for protective measures cannot be overstated; without immediate action, this species faces imminent extinction.

The recent study, published in the African Journal of Ecology, marks the first attempt to survey the Upemba Lechwe in more than five decades. The Democratic Republic of Congo has previously gained international recognition for its wildlife, including a viral photo in 2019 capturing two gorillas posing with their ranger in Virunga National Park. The situation facing the Upemba Lechwe, however, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges to conservation in the region.