THE GIANT SABLE CAPTURE OPERATION
With an estimated total population of 300, the giant sable antelope is one of the most critically endangered African mammals. They primarily reside in two protected areas in Angola: Cangandala National Park and Luando Integral Nature Reserve. Even though the “Palanca Negra” is a National emblem, very little is done to protect the species. Both Reserves suffer from lack of rangers leaving the sable population subject to intense threat of poaching for their meat.
2022
In 2022, the Kissama Foundation implemented ‘The Giant Sable Capture Operation’ with funding from ACTIF, VIRIDIA, and ExxonMobil Foundation. The operation aimed to identify and assess the five known herds of sable in Luanda, Angola.
Over the course of 8 days in July a specialized team flew through the region and collared, tagged, photographed, sampled and treated any health issues (snares) amongst all sable herds. The teams also retrieved a lot poaching traps.
The operation was considered highly successful having located all five surviving herds of giant sable and the deployment of 18 GPS collars which means that now each herd has at least two GPS and VHFcollars transmitting.
Unfortunately, poaching is still a major threat to giant sables so it needs to be a clear priority to expand the reach of ranger activity to be able to protect the sables in the near future.
2024
The 2024 Giant Sable Survey, backed by ACTIF, took decisive action to protect the critically endangered giant sable antelope and counter alarming population declines. At the heart of this effort was an ambitious aerial operation over Angola’s Luando Integral Nature Reserve during the dry season.
With two clear goals in sight, to update population numbers and carry out critical veterinary work, the team successfully darted and fitted over twenty animals with satellite collars. Expert helicopter and veterinary crews from Namibia and South Africa were brought in, building on proven success from past missions.
After years of pandemic-related setbacks that fueled poaching and stifled fieldwork, urgency was high. Tracking data from the newly collared animals unlocked a wave of targeted ground expeditions and drone surveys, dramatically sharpening population estimates and bolstering conservation tactics.
These efforts mark a pivotal step toward safeguarding the future of the giant sable and re-establishing vital momentum in its recovery.
Team preparing to start the Operation in July 2024
Veterinarian Charlotte Moueix measuring the horns of a darted giant sable bull
One female and one bull just collared upon release during Capture Operation 2024
Team processing a young giant sable female
Female with cable from neck snare wrapped around the horns