Lechwe
Scientific name: Kobus leche
- How weight is recorded: Carcass weight
Field notes
Appearance
Medium-sized antelope with reddish-brown to golden coat and distinctive white underside. Males are larger and darker than females, bearing long, lyre-shaped horns.
Size and weight
Males 100–110 cm at shoulder, 80–100 kg; females around 90 cm and 60–70 kg.
Habitat
Lechwe inhabit wetlands, floodplains and grassy swamps near water, typically at low elevations below 1500 m.
Distribution
Found in southern Africa, particularly Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, as well as South Sudan and DR Congo. Restricted to the Zambezi River system and major wetland complexes.
Diet
Graze on sedges and marsh grasses, particularly during the dry season when aquatic plants become the primary food source.
Behaviour
Diurnal, peak feeding at dawn and dusk. Live in small to large herds, usually near water, and migrate in response to water levels.
Hunting tips
Look for tracks in mud and characteristic dung piles on feeding grounds. Approach into the wind along wateredges where animals feed at first light. Use terrain for concealment, as lechwe are alert and quick to flee when disturbed.
Carcass weight
This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 3 countries in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.