Common eland

Scientific name: Tragelaphus oryx

How weight is recorded: Carcass weight

Field notes

Appearance

Eland are heavily built antelopes with a characteristic thickened neck and shoulder in bulls. Males are dark brown to greyish-brown, females lighter tawny-brown. Both sexes carry spiral horns.

Size and weight

Bulls typically weigh 400–1000 kg, cows 300–600 kg. Body length 200–250 cm.

Habitat

Eland inhabit open and semi-open savanna grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs, ranging from lowlands to approximately 4000 metres elevation.

Distribution

Eland range across east and southeast Africa, with major populations in Tanzania, Kenya, and southern Africa. They favour open grassland and savanna.

Diet

Eland graze on grass and browse shrub and tree foliage, with diet varying seasonally according to availability.

Behaviour

Eland are day-active, particularly in early morning and late afternoon. They move in small to large herds and are highly mobile, travelling considerable distances at a measured pace in search of water and pasture.

Hunting tips

Eland leave clear sign: deep tracks and grass disturbance in their feeding areas. Dung is distinctive and cuboid. Approach downwind and move slowly across open ground toward herds, or hunt near water sources where they congregate. Eland are powerful and enduring; position yourself carefully before final approach.

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 9 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.