Hauwa Ali
Angola’s national symbol, the giant sable antelope, almost vanished due to poaching and decades of civil unrest. However, through the determined efforts of conservationists, led by Pedro Vaz Pinto, the species is making a remarkable recovery.
First discovered in the early 20th century, the giant sable antelope quickly became a national symbol for Angola. However, poachers also found value in its striking horns, and soon, the species faced relentless hunting. The outbreak of Angola’s civil war in 1975 compounded the problem, devastating the country’s wildlife, including the antelope.
By the time peace was restored in 2002, it was uncertain whether any of the giant sable antelope had survived. The combination of habitat loss, a lack of conservation efforts, and the poaching crisis left Angola’s national animal on the brink of extinction.
In 2003, biologist Pedro Vaz Pinto embarked on a personal mission to uncover the fate of the giant sable antelope. With no official conservation efforts in place, Vaz Pinto and his team ventured into Cangandala National Park, where locals had reported possible sightings.
After setting up camera traps, it took a year to confirm that a small population still existed. But the situation remained dire: the few surviving antelopes were all female, signaling a looming extinction unless a male could be found.
Driven by the urgent need to prevent extinction, Vaz Pinto and his team turned to Luando Integral Nature Reserve, a once-thriving habitat for the giant sable. In 2009, their perseverance paid off. Through DNA analysis of dung samples, they confirmed the presence of a male antelope. Soon after, the team captured a male and transported it to Cangandala, where it was introduced to the remaining females.
This marked the beginning of the species’ revival, with a dedicated sanctuary established to protect the animals and facilitate their breeding.
While the population has grown to around 100 in Cangandala’s sanctuary, the species remains critically endangered. Poaching continues to threaten the antelope in its natural habitats, requiring constant monitoring through GPS collars and drones.
The road to recovery is still long. Before the civil war, there were an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 giant sable antelopes in Angola. Today, Vaz Pinto and his team aim to increase the population to 500 in the short term, with hopes of reaching up to 1,500 in the future.
Conservation efforts extend beyond protecting the species directly. Vaz Pinto and his team at the Kissama Foundation have turned to environmental education to ensure long-term sustainability. Through workshops, community engagement, and educational materials, they aim to instill a sense of responsibility and pride in protecting the giant sable among local populations, especially younger generations.
Vaz Pinto remains cautiously optimistic. “If we stop now, all the progress could be lost,” he says. “But with proper management, funding, and training, the giant sable could thrive again—restoring not just a species but a national symbol of resilience.”
The story of Angola’s giant sable antelope is not just about wildlife conservation; it’s about a nation’s effort to preserve its heritage and heal from decades of conflict.