3-003-850 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sable antelope from Southern Africa, recently added to the Zoological Society's Gardens, Regent's Park, 1861. 'This animal, which is very rare, is supposed to have its home in the mountains lying to the north and east of Southern Africa, and the present one is the only living example that has ever been seen alive in Europe. The existence of this species of antelope was first discovered by Sir Cornwallis Harris in 1836, who while pursuing an elephant he had wounded unexpectedly came upon a small herd...near the Cashan range. Convinced that the animals before him were unknown to science, he determined upon obtaining a specimen, and after a toilsome pursuit of three days succeeded in killing one of the bucks, which was eventually placed in the collection of the British Museum. The appearance of this animal in its adult stage is very remarkable. From between the horns there rises a bushy black mane...the greater portion of the coat is of a glossy jet-black hue, forming a most vivid contrast with the snowy whiteness of the lower parts; the tail is tasselled and fringed, resembling that of no other known antelope; and the horns, upwards of 3ft. in length, are perfectly flat, sweeping gracefully over the back in the form of a crescent'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.