The mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) or balbok, is a large antelope inhabiting the forests and heathlands from 9,500 to 12,500 feet elevation in the mountains of southern Ethiopia. Because its habitat is so remote and inhospitable, this rare antelope was not discovered by Western scientists until 1908. Its nocturnal and crepuscular activity, its shy and wary behavior, and its limited geographic distribution make it one of the least studied large African mammals.
Although old males tend to be solitary, the mountain nyala usually is found in small herds of 5 to 10 individuals, females predominating. The horns, which may exceed 46 inches in length, are present only in the males. Adults may weigh as much as 500 pounds.
Mountain nyala feed mainly on heath plants, leaves and buds of shrubs, but also on grasses and legumes. They keep to dense cover and rarely leave it to venture into the open. Its main predator is the Leopard, however this species is often poached for bushmeat. About 3,000 mountain nyala are left in the wild.
A related species, the southern nyala (Tragelaphus angasi) is smaller, and the males have a shaggy coat. It has a restricted range in the lowlands of southeastern Africa.
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