The Common Eland is native to 15 African countries. Sadly their rich milk, tasty meat and useful hides have made them popular ranch animals and prime hunting targets which as a result has seen their population decline significantly due to poaching and hunting.

The world’s second largest antelope, standing at 1.6m tall and weighing up to 940 kg the Eland can be found in East and Southern Africa. They have large majestic spiraled horns and beautiful black and white banding on their legs. Their diet consists mainly of grasses and leaves, and can conserve water by reducing their body temperature.

The common eland is the slowest antelope, with a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour that tires them quickly. They can maintain a rate of 14 miles per hour trot indefinitely. Elands are capable of jumping up to 2.5 metres from a standing start.

The common eland's life expectancy is generally between 15 and 20 years; in captivity some live up to 25 years.

Eland herds are accompanied by a loud clicking sound, it is believed that the weight of the animal causes the two halves of its hooves to splay apart, and the clicking is the result of the hoof snapping together when the animal raises its leg. The sound carries some distance from a herd, and may be a form of communication.

As human populations are growing and expanding settlements and agriculture, they are encroaching on elands' living spaces and destroying habitats and food sources.