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The Blesbuck / Bontebok (Damaliscus Pygargus Phillipsi) is an antelope endemic to South Africa. Bles is the Afrikaans word for Blaze such as one would see on the forehead of a horse. The Blesbuck / Bontebok also has this characteristic. The Blesbuck / Bontebok is found in large herds in some National Parks around South Africa. Physically, Males and Females are very much alike; both have light brown coats with white markings on their foreheads. Both sexes have horns although female horns are slightly more slender.
The Blesbuck and the Bontebok (D. p. Pygargus) are subspecies of the same species and can readily interbreed, the hybrid offspring being known as the Bontebles or Baster Blesbuck; the differences between the two subspecies have arisen due to preferences for different habitats in the wild.
Physically, rams and ewes are remarkably similar. Their mass can be as much as 85 kg. A characteristic of the Blesbuck is the prominent white blaze on the face and a horizontal brown strip that divides this blaze above the eyes. The body is brown with a lighter-coloured saddle on the back and the rump an even lighter shade. The legs are brown, with a white patch behind the top part of the front legs. Lower legs whitish. Both sexes carry horns, ringed almost to the tip. Female horns are slightly more slender. The neck and the top of the back of the Blesbuck are brown. Lower down on the flanks and buttocks, the colouring becomes darker. The belly, the inside of the buttocks, and the area up to the base of the tail is white. Blesbuck can be easily differentiated from other antelopes because they have a distinct white face and forehead. The Blesbuck differs from the Bontebok by having less white on the coat and the blaze on the face, which is usually divided; the coat is also a lighter yellow than the Bontebok. The length of their horns averages at around 38 cm. Male adult Blesbuck average around 70 kg; females average lower, at around 61 kg.
The Blesbuck is a seasonal breeder, with rutting from March to May. Births peak during November and December after a gestation period of about 240 days (8 months). Females give birth to a single calf per breeding season.
The Blesbuck was hunted nearly to extinction because of its large numbers, but having been protected since the late 19th century, it has proliferated. Today, it is sufficiently numerous not to be classed as endangered. As of 2017, Blesbuck numbers have had an upward trend, and are estimated to be at least 54,000, with about 69% of these thought to be genetically pure.
The principal threat is thought to be hybridization with the Bontebok.
Humans, Lion, Leopard, African Wild Dog, Spotted Hyena and Cheetah are the Blesbuck’s main predators, while Jackal and Eagle may attack calves. The Blesbuck is farmed and hunted for its skin, meat, and trophies. Blesbuck are shy and alert; they rely on speed and endurance to escape predators but tend to return to where they were attacked after a few minutes. When chased, they can maintain a speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) but, like other white-fronted damalisques, Blesbuck are not good jumpers. They are, however, very good at crawling under things.
The Blesbuck is endemic to Southern Africa and is found in large numbers in all National Parks with open grasslands, from Highveld, north of the Vaal River to southwards through the Free State, to the Eastern Cape. It is a plains species and dislikes wooded areas.
Blesbuck can be found in open veld or plains of South Africa, Eswatini and Namibia. They often occupy relatively small territories of 2.5 to 6.0 acres in size. Trophy hunting has helped the blesbok to survive and thrive in the areas where they are hunted legally.
Blesbuck taxidermy is the art of preserving the Blesbuck’s skin and other body parts to produce lifelike sculptures for display, either at home as a hunting trophy or in museums for educational purposes. Skin is preserved and mounted on an artificial armature to display the specimen.
The contemporary English word “taxidermy” is derived from the Greek terms taxis, meaning “movement,” and derma, meaning “skin,” thereby combining these two meanings. This is why, in a broad sense, taxidermy is synonymous with “the motion of skin.”
For expert taxidermists, skills in sculpture, painting, and sketching are just as important as those in carpentry, woodworking, tanning, moulding, and casting.
The remaining parts of the body are synthetic replacements for real organs and tissues. Polyurethane foam is used for the manikin or form, which includes the anatomy of every muscle and vein; glass is used for the eyes; clay is used for the eyelids; for the nose and mouth the foam of the mannequin is sculptured.
Works of taxidermy can be found in a wide range of environments, including museums, classrooms, galleries, stores, restaurants, and private households, due to the complexity and delicate craftsmanship involved in the taxidermy process.
Thorough preparation is the key factor to ensuring a high-quality final product. All hides are tanned and oiled using the world’s very best available chemicals and processes to ensure permanence and longevity. Forms are selected to ensure the best fit and posture will be altered to suit you, the client’s preference without additional cost. Natural habitat bases are custom-made for full mount trophies without additional cost. Only the finest materials and 40 years of professional experience are used in defining your trophies in a whole new way. The final trophies are almost Life-Formed. When the restoration is required, every effort is made to repair cuts and abrasions, and to minimise bullet damage. Natural scarring is kept unless otherwise requested.
Due to the skittish nature of the Blesbuck, it is important to shoot accurately. Place your shot by following the back line of the front leg up to approximately a third of the body to puncture the lungs and heart. That will ensure that the animal doesn’t get too far, even if it is not a kill shot.
When making an Blesbuck mount, careful planning is key to getting a high-quality result. When tanning and oiling the skins, only the best chemicals and methods are used. This ensures that the skins will last for many years.
Your preferred form for the Blesbuck will be chosen after taking your measurements into account, and the posture of your form will be changed at no extra cost. Full-mount Blesbuck trophies come with bases made to look like the animal’s natural habitat and made just for the Blesbuck mount.
The taxidermy process at Life-Form takes your prized Blesbuck trophy and gives it a whole new meaning by using only the best materials and drawing on more than 40 years of experience in the field.
When repair is needed, every effort is made to fix cuts and scrapes and lessen bullet damage. Existing scars are left alone unless the client asks for them to be taken away.
Using the helpful tips below, it’s important to take extra care of your prized Blesbuck trophy to make sure it stays in perfect shape for years to come.
The pricing of any trophy is subject to the costing stipulated per taxidermy order, quantity of trophies and preferred mounting options, along with additional requirements.
Should you wish to receive a quotation prior to the hunt, the taxidermist can generate such for you. Please contact [email protected]
Taxidermy is an art form that involves a complicated step-by-step process to make sure that each trophy looks just right and is of a high enough quality that it will last your whole life.
The time it takes a taxidermist to mount an animal might range from days to weeks, and possibly several months, depending on the quantity of trophies per taxidermy order, the display preferences, and volumes of client trophies to be produced, simultaneously, per production schedule.
This depends largely on the “what, how, when” factors. A taxidermy order also only becomes available for production scheduling upon receipt of the required deposit and trophy mounting instructions.
