Our National Bok
IT IS GENERALLY assumed that the springbuck was chosen as South Africa’s national animal because it was our most common species, and for its historical association with the early Cape, birthplace of our nation. That may be so – although I can find no historically recorded reason for this choice. Interestingly, the early Dutch settlers encountered many other species, including the Big Five, before encountering the springbuck some 30 years (and possibly as long as 120 years) after their arrival.
In June 1823, George Thompson saw a migration near Beaufort West which he estimated to number 100 000 in a solid column 80km long
According to Historical Mammal Incidence in the Cape Province, Volume 1, by CJ Skead, the earliest (but unconfirmed) record of what may have been springbuck appears to be that of Olof Bergh who, in 1682, near Garies (Vanrhynsdorp area) wrote what translates as: “About two hours from Olifants River, I saw so many wild bucks that they were uncountable, and I shot one there.” The description “uncountable” suggests springbuck, but without more information, is not definitive. Conceivably, gemsbuck could have been another possibility.
It was
