World Image Magazine Issue 31 April 2016 | Page 30

Springbok grazing near the Goas fountain. Zebra and Giraffe benefit from the minerals at the pan. Springbok and Giraffe all enjoy the pan and its surrounding environment Springbok are grouped with the Gazelles. Gazelles are antelope which are slender and of medium size, they inhabit open savanna and are ruminantsmeaning they chew the “cud”. They have a four chambered stomach. The Goas water fountain attracts many species and justifies spending some hours there observing the coming and goings of different species. Young Kudu near the Goas natural fountain. Only the males carry the spectacular horns which can be a hindrance in their woodland habitat but are necessary for fighting the right to mate with females. Kudu are able to jump to heights of 3 metres from standing; this and their stripes are their best defence mechanism. Kudu are mainly browsers and in the Etosha environment thrive on the leaves of the Mopani tree which are rich in proteins and minerals. The stripes on the Kudu helps break up the outline of the body and tends to make it less visible to predators. Kudu readily take to eating soil. Springbok and Giraffe all enjoy the pan and its surrounding environment Website = www.worldimagemag.com This is known as “geophagia” and is done by a number of animals in their search for mineral, particularly in the dry seasons. Page 30 email = [email protected]