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Grey Rhebok (Pelea Capreolus)

Ger: Rehantilope, rehbockchen
Fre: Rhebok gris, Pelea
Afr: Vaalribbok

DESCRIPTION:
The thick coat is soft and wooly. The upperparts are greyish brown. The underparts, ring around eyes and white patches on chin & muzzle. A dark, narrow stripe runs down the front of the legs. The tail has a white tip. Grey Rhebok are fast runners, reaching speeds of up to 60km/h.
Horns:Only rams carry horns. they are straight, long, thin & pointed. The horns are partially ridged at the base, with smooth tips. Length: 15-29cm.

DISTRIBUTION:
In the Kruger, found in the suitable habitat of the Malelane Mountain bushveld.

BEHAVIOUR:
Mostly diurnal, with activity peaks in the afternoon; least active during the hotter hours of the day. They form herds of up to 12 individuals, comprising of a dominant ram, and several ewes & their lambs.

REPRODUCTION:
Breed in the summer rainy season. A single lamb (rarely two), weighing 3kg, is born after a gestation period of 8,5 months. Ewes give birth in isolation, rejoining the herd after 1-2 weeks. The lamb is born in dense cover, and remains hidden for 6 weeks. It is weaned at 6-8 months.

DIET:
Browse broad-leaved plants, forbs, roots, seeds & flowers, and graze sourveld grasses. The level of browsing increases during the dry season, whereas grazing increases in the wet season. Grey Rhebok are water independant, obtaining enough moisture from their food. They will however, drink when water is available.

HABITAT:
Rocky Hills, hill plateaus, rocky mountain slopes, aswell as valleys & scrub savanna, all with good sourveld grass cover. Avoid tall grasslands. In the Kruger, found in the Malelane Mountain bushveld habitat.

Source: Field Guide to the mammals of the Kruger National Park - Heike Schutze

Has anyone seen Grey Rhebok in KNP. They are found in the Malelane / Berg-En-Dal Area.

Didnt know they were found in the park. Called Vaal Rhebok in the cape - always thought they were restricted to the Eastern Cape and bits of the Western Cape. Will definatly look out for them when next we are there.

Ive never seen any in KNP, but have seen 10-12 wild Grey Rhebok just outside durbanville.

I have never seen any myself, but when i went to Berg-en-dal, there were rumours about a herd at Matjulu loop...

WAC. They are found in that loop

A very interesting article about the relocation of 15 Grey Rhebuck in the West Coast National Park:
Grey Rhebuck Relocated to West Coast National Park

Thanks leopardspotter, thats great!

They can be found on most highveld game reserves also .

I am sure golden gate has a good population .

On top of the mountains in the Berg En Dal and SW corner the veld is escarpment highveld and there are isolated pockets of Rhebok on the top.... saw some with Johan Van Graan on a walk once. Unfortunately no tourist roads go anywhere near their habitat so that is why nobody sees them

A small population was introduced from golden gates into the Malelane area though i have never seen any in the knp - If u want to see them go to Golden Gates where they are easy to find

They prefer mountanious terrain and are therefore hard to find

Those introduced were to supplement the small population found on the tops of the Berg endal Mountains, but as you say they are off the areas open to tourists..... forgot to tell you in my previous post that there are plenty of Mountain reedbuck in the Tshokwane Rangers section North of the Mlondozi Dam and these can readily be seen around Muntshe but not in windy conditions as they lie down and are very hard to see unless the males with Trophy length horns are present and you can spot these with diligent observations of the open grassy hillsides.

Here's a pic of a Grey Rhebok ram taken in Mountain Zebra National Park!

Nice pic

Hi all,

This is one off those antelopes I really want to see again. So small group as teenager with my parent in the late 90's on the Berg and Dal tar just before camp. Been guiding in the park for 7 years and never seen them in that period. If anybody see one in KNP please let me know. I have seen many Mountain reedbuck. There were a pair living at the Mlondozi river crossing with the S122 that I have seen regularly and also from time to time one or 2 seen on the Nkumbe lookout koppie.

But like I said please3 let me know if someone see one in KNP

Hi, are these grey rhebok? If not, what are they? (unfortunately not seen in SANParks)