Gerenuk

Scientific Name: Litocranius walleri 

There are numerous small antelope found throughout Africa that are easily overlooked and often cryptic in their habits.  The gerenuk, also called the giraffe gazelle or Waller’s gazelle, is an unforgettable antelope with the ability to rear up and stand on its hind legs to reach tender leaves and buds from trees and shrubs on which it browses.  Their long neck and legs are uniquely adapted to forage in this manner allowing the gerenuk to feed on plant food sources unavailable to other herbivores.   They live in small family groups and are not uncommon throughout East Africa.

Management of gerenuk in captivity has been a challenge due to their shy nature and unique dietary requirements and because little was known of their exact nutritional requirements.  White Oak Conservation Center has devoted significant effort to managing the species in captivity and to studying their habits and biology.  Through research projects in nutrition, behavior, assisted reproduction, genetics, and endocrinology, scientists and students at White Oak have learned much about the species over the last two decades.

Although the gerenuk is not considered an endangered species, conservation of their natural habitats in East Africa is an important component in protecting the wild population.  White Oak Conservation Center is supporting community conservation efforts in northern Kenya through the Northern Rangelands Trust, which protects habitats and wildlife including the gerenuk.  In partnership with the US Dept. of Agriculture and the Ol Jogi Ranch in Laikipia, Kenya, White Oak is also working to develop protocols and processes to import frozen gerenuk semen collected from wild caught males captured and released in Kenya.  Studying and supporting conservation of gerenuk in Kenya provides direct links to the captive population and our work and staff here at the Conservation Center.