AWOL Tour guides recently spotted klipspringers (literally meaning “rock jumper” in Afrikaans) when out hiking on Table Mountain and this time we managed to get close enough to get good pictures when on the Hoerikwaggo trail in the Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park.
AWOL Tour guides recently spotted klipspringers (literally meaning “rock jumper” in Afrikaans) when out hiking on Table Mountain and this time we managed to get close enough to get good pictures when on the Hoerikwaggo trail in the Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park.
AWOL Tour guides recently spotted klipspringers (literally meaning “rock jumper” in Afrikaans) when out hiking on Table Mountain and this time we managed to get close enough to get good pictures when on the Hoerikwaggo trail in the Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park.
The klipspringer literally tiptoe over any type of cliff or large rock formation on its rubber like hooves. Uniquely, they never need to drink, since the succulents from the rock plants gives them enough moist for survival. Their light brown coat ensures they are well camouflaged making it harder for predators to spot them. The hollow fibred coats are protect them against injury when falling in the koppies (rock outcrops).
Due to the increased demand of food supply after the colonization of the Cape, the number of klipspringer was depleted. They were also sought after for the hollow fibre coats to be used as horse saddles. To make matters worse, a pair of Himalayan tahrs managed to escape the Groote Schuur Estate in the 1930’s. They multiplied rapidly and by the 1970’s they had colonized all of Table Mountain. The tahrs (being an alien species) had a specifically harmful effect on the natural habitat and vegetation of the klipspringer.
In a joint venture, Cape Nature and SANParks re-introduced 37 klipspringers in the Table Mountain National Park (after culling all Himalayan tahrs). Although some have been taken by predators (caracal or eagle) the population is thriving, again.
Although this little antelope is a rare sight on the mountain, you should still try your luck at spotting the klipspringer when out hiking on Table Mountain. AWOL Tour regularly offers private guided hikes on Table Mountain allowing you to hike at your own pace. For more information on other sightings on Table Mountain keep in touch on our blogs.
Written by Jeremy Schreiner
The klipspringer literally tiptoe over any type of cliff or large rock formation on its rubber like hooves. Uniquely, they never need to drink, since the succulents from the rock plants gives them enough moist for survival. Their light brown coat ensures they are well camouflaged making it harder for predators to spot them. The hollow fibred coats are protect them against injury when falling in the koppies (rock outcrops).
Due to the increased demand of food supply after the colonization of the Cape, the number of klipspringer was depleted. They were also sought after for the hollow fibre coats to be used as horse saddles. To make matters worse, a pair of Himalayan tahrs managed to escape the Groote Schuur Estate in the 1930’s. They multiplied rapidly and by the 1970’s they had colonized all of Table Mountain. The tahrs (being an alien species) had a specifically harmful effect on the natural habitat and vegetation of the klipspringer.
In a joint venture, Cape Nature and SANParks re-introduced 37 klipspringers in the Table Mountain National Park (after culling all Himalayan tahrs). Although some have been taken by predators (caracal or eagle) the population is thriving, again.
Although this little antelope is a rare sight on the mountain, you should still try your luck at spotting the klipspringer when out hiking on Table Mountain. AWOL Tour regularly offers private guided hikes on Table Mountain allowing you to hike at your own pace. For more information on other sightings on Table Mountain keep in touch on our blogs.
Written by Jeremy Schreiner
The klipspringer literally tiptoe over any type of cliff or large rock formation on its rubber like hooves. Uniquely, they never need to drink, since the succulents from the rock plants gives them enough moist for survival. Their light brown coat ensures they are well camouflaged making it harder for predators to spot them. The hollow fibred coats are protect them against injury when falling in the koppies (rock outcrops).
Due to the increased demand of food supply after the colonization of the Cape, the number of klipspringer was depleted. They were also sought after for the hollow fibre coats to be used as horse saddles. To make matters worse, a pair of Himalayan tahrs managed to escape the Groote Schuur Estate in the 1930’s. They multiplied rapidly and by the 1970’s they had colonized all of Table Mountain. The tahrs (being an alien species) had a specifically harmful effect on the natural habitat and vegetation of the klipspringer.
In a joint venture, Cape Nature and SANParks re-introduced 37 klipspringers in the Table Mountain National Park (after culling all Himalayan tahrs). Although some have been taken by predators (caracal or eagle) the population is thriving, again.
Although this little antelope is a rare sight on the mountain, you should still try your luck at spotting the klipspringer when out hiking on Table Mountain. AWOL Tour regularly offers private guided hikes on Table Mountain allowing you to hike at your own pace. For more information on other sightings on Table Mountain keep in touch on our blogs.
Written by Jeremy Schreiner