Transition Zone Between East Cape and Southern Greater Kudu?

[BenKK]

Good morning, All,

I’m wondering if there is a clear gap between where East Cape kudu and southern greater kudu exist? Or is there overlap? How does it work? Is it a gradual and imperceptible transition? Or are there places where two distinct kinds are present?

If I understand correctly, the two kinds of kudu I’m wondering about are technically both the same - southern greater kudu - yet the differences are obvious enough.

A really big East Cape kudu might be around 50”, but I think I have heard of occasional bulls hitting 60”.

Please don’t mistake my curiosity for a lack of respect for one kind or a fixation on inches. I am fascinated by all kudu and really enjoy being around them and learning about them.

Kind regards,

Ben

 

[fourfive8]

Good question and I'm certainly no expert. Obviously there is a large difference between the "lesser" and the "greater". But IMO, separating and describing the various geographic races from all the historic kudu ranges, could become a real quagmire of shades of gray. The genetics of all the geographic subpopulations would have to be analyzed, including those from the range of the "lesser". If someone has access to some basic and comprehensive genetic research on all the various geographic kudu types, posting it here would be most interesting and helpful.

"Overlap" between Southern Greater and Eastern Cape physical types?- absolutely. I have seen kudu bulls smack in the middle of Southern Greater range that would be indistinguishable from the often described Eastern Cape type- tannish coat, smaller structure, more compact horns of mature bulls that appear to top out at about 50", etc. Then you see kudu bulls from smack in the middle of Eastern Cape range that look just like the larger Southern Greater type. Who knows? Genetic testing would be the only way to 'cipher it.

One thing that could really muddy the water (and likely already has) would be Eastern Cape landowners buying the largest specimens of Southern Greater kudu they can find then importing them into the Eastern Cape range for bragging/marketing rights. uh huh-

 

[BenKK]

Thank you! Very interesting stuff.

 

[Ryan]

As I recall seeing in an SCI record book Eastern Cape kudu was mentioned but not clearly defined on a map.
Anyway, I can't either but I recall finding this interesting discussion about it here.
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/east-cape-kudu.7562/

East Cape Kudu

 

[Royal27]

Depending on what you believe and who you talk to "Southern" kudu and "cape" kudu are the same sub species genetically speaking.

 

[BenKK]

I should have done a search! Very good thread already here.

 

[Royal27]

There are some threads you can find with a search too

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/what-are-the-different-type-of-kudu.43320/#post-446427

And this one was a good one from way back in the day.

https://www.africahunting.com/threads/east-cape-kudu.7562/

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

In the past you didn’t find a lot of kudu or any at all in the northern part of the Karoo north of Graaff Reinet / Middelburg and the Orange Free State. And in the east the southern Drakensberg to the coast, they didn’t occur either. So there was a geographic separation for a significant time and this contributed to the genetic differences within kudu although diet also plays a major role. Things are different now. From the 1984 and 1991 droughts kudu started migrating north and you now find kudu in pockets almost everywhere in the northern Karoo and OFS. There were introductions when game farming became popular in these areas but natural migrations preceded this.