In the remote depths of the Kamalondo Depression in the southern Democratic Republic of Congo, an extraordinary event unfolded. Amid the thick brush and treacherous terrain, a rare creature paused long enough for a fleeting moment—a moment that could be one of the last for its kind. This sighting marks the first-ever published photograph of the Upemba lechwe, a critically endangered antelope that has been teetering on the edge of extinction.
The Elusive Upemba Lechwe
For researchers in the field, the Upemba lechwe has long been a mysterious and almost mythical creature. Known for its skittish nature, it is not often seen in the wild, making any attempt at documenting it an immense challenge. The photograph, taken by Manuel Weber, a researcher at Upemba National Park, was the result of a rare opportunity. On the second day of an aerial survey, the animal paused for just a few seconds, long enough for Weber to capture a single image before it dashed out of sight.
This photograph, now hailed as a monumental achievement, is the first photographic record of a living Upemba lechwe since it was first described in 2005. Prior to this, the species was known only from museum specimens collected decades earlier. It was a striking reminder of how little we know about the creatures that inhabit some of the most remote regions of the world.
A Grim Outlook for the Species
The Upemba lechwe’s future is uncertain, and the latest survey results paint a bleak picture. After conducting the first population survey in over 50 years, published in the African Journal of Ecology, Weber and his team recorded just 10 individuals, a number far lower than previous estimates. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had initially estimated between 600 and 1,000 mature individuals, but these new findings suggest that fewer than 100 may still remain in the wild.
Experts attribute this catastrophic decline to illegal poaching, a persistent threat that has plagued the species for decades. In the early 1970s, aerial surveys suggested that as many as 20,000 Upemba lechwe once roamed the Kamalondo Depression. However, by the 1990s, poaching had begun to take a heavy toll, with the animals’ meat being shipped regularly to nearby markets. Without a drastic reversal in their protection, the species could disappear entirely within a matter of years.
A Final Chance for Survival?
Weber, whose team conducted the aerial survey, voiced a sobering reality for the species: “This is a species on the very brink,” he said. “The fact that they’re still hanging on at all is extraordinary, but without urgent protection, they’ll vanish.” The team believes that swift and effective conservation measures are the only hope for the Upemba lechwe. Their survival hinges on immediate action to stop poaching and ensure the protection of their fragile habitat.
The publication of the photograph is not just a scientific achievement, but also a call to arms for conservationists worldwide. As Weber expressed, “We hope this image becomes a rallying cry. Because this may be our only chance to save this species.”
This photograph, more than a rare glimpse into the wild, serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life in the face of human encroachment. Whether it will be enough to galvanize a global effort to save the Upemba lechwe remains to be seen, but its capture has brought much-needed attention to the plight of this forgotten antelope.
