Namibia Black Faced Impala
Namibia Black faced impala occur only in south-western Angola and north western Namibia and its range does not naturally overlap with that of the common impala. They are darker in colour than the red faced impala and have a purplish black sheen in contrast to the reddish colour of the red faced impala. They are named for the purplish-black patch on their face which extends to the top of their head as a thinner dark band. Black faced impala are regarded as a subspecies of the impala rather than a separate species in their own right. Much of their behaviour is therefore very similar to that of the impala. Black faced impala usually occur in herds of between 3 and 15 individuals. During and just after the lambing season in December an January the herds aggregate into larger herds which then split into smaller herds once the lambs have been born. Their continued existence is being threatened by goats with which they have to compete throughout most of their range for food. In some places goats outnumber the these impalas by more than 100 to 1 and the high level of competition for food such as acacia pods is likely to be too severe for the antelope. They are water dependent and also compete with goats for existing water sources. They prefer dense riverine vegetation but also found in more moderate vegetation near water holes. Best viewed in the south-western Etosha, Omuhonga.
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