Bluebuck
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Status: Extinct (ca.1800) (IUCN)

Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Hippotraginae

[Photo] Bluebuck, Hippotragus leucophaeus. Date 1801. Source: www.petermaas.nl/extinct/speciesinfo/images/BlueAntelope1801.jpg

The Bluebuck or Blue Antelope (Hippotragus leucophaeus) is an extinct species of antelope, the first large African mammal to disappear in historic times. It is related to the Roan Antelope and Sable Antelope, but slightly smaller than either. It lived in the southwestern coastal region of South Africa savannahs, but was more widespread during the last Ice Age. It was probably a selective feeder, preferring high-quality grasses.

Europeans encountered the Bluebuck in the 17th century, but it was already uncommon by then. European settlers hunted it avidly, despite its flesh being distasteful, while converting its habitat to agriculture. The Bluebuck became extinct around 1800. There are only four mounted specimens ??? in museums in Vienna, Stockholm, Paris, and Leiden ??? along with some bones and horns elsewhere. None of the museum specimens show a blue colour, which may have derived from a mixture of black and yellow hairs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluebuck

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