Hirola (Beatragus hunteri).
Image: Jan Ebr, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The hirola is a slender, sandy-coloured antelope of East Africa, the only living member of its genus. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
Pale 'spectacle' markings around its eyes give it the nickname 'four-eyed antelope'.
Range & habitat
A small area of grassland on the Kenya-Somalia border.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Drought
- Disease and predation on a tiny population
Why it matters
The sole survivor of an ancient antelope lineage, the hirola is a flagship for the threatened grasslands of the Kenya-Somalia border.
Sources
Sources for Hirola
- IUCN Red List — look up Hirola (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the hirola called the 'four-eyed antelope'?
Pale markings and prominent preorbital scent glands below each eye create the impression of a second pair of eyes, giving rise to the nickname.
Why is the hirola Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite habitat loss and degradation, drought, and disease and predation acting on a very small population. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
Last updated: