Blackbuck Antelope - newest exhibit at Alma Park Zoo

Alma Park Zoo has welcomed another species - Blackbuck Antelope.  Blackbuck are one of the fastest land animals in the world, clocking speeds of over 80km/hour!

The Blackbuck is one of the few antelope species in the world with pronounced sexual dimorphism (a physical difference between males and females).  Males are darker and have distinct, beautiful horns, made up of tight spirals which are then twisted into loops up to five times.  They don't shed their horns which continue to grow throughout their lives.

Once one of the most widespread hoofstock in India, Blackbuck populations have been dramatically reduced and are now listed as Rare (IUCN).  Today, they can only be observed in isolated patches throughout India, and smaller areas of Pakistan and Nepal.  A tendency to graze in open plains makes this species particularly vulnerable to human hunting for both meat and trophy hunting of their horns.

Alma Park Zoo welcomes 1 male and 3 females to our Zoo family.