Klipspringer: The Baryshnikov of the Bush

Meet the graceful Klipspringer, the Baryshnikov of the Bush

This is an amazing animal, hardly ever seen because it is shy and camouflages itself in the African koppies - small, rocky hills in the veld. Watching this tiny antelope leap from rock to rock, all of various heights and widths is magical. Why the folks at Disney haven’t created a klipspringer character in one of its animated films is a crime.

All animals in the bush are magnificent for one reason or another, but this rock jumping dynamo of an antelope can leap up to 25 feet in the air. Their hooves are cylindrical and pointed, allowing them to spring from rock to rock on their toes, as gracefully as a ballet dancer at the Bolshoi.

The sight of a male and female leaping together from rock to rock is stunningly poetic and made me wish I had a replay button as I almost couldn’t believe that I was witnessing graceful movements on rugged and harsh terrain. When I saw my first Klipspringer, it stood majestically on a rock, daring any predators to invade its territory. They are monogamous and fierce defenders of their families.

I admire klipspringers. Their ability to adapt to some of the bushes harshes environments, their loyalty to their partners, and their diminutive bodies and demure behavior make me as excited as seeing the endangered cheetah or the elusive leopard in the bush.

I think it would be cool to be a klipspringer!

#klipspringer #baryshnikov #animalballet #writing #personalessays #lastmonthsinsouthafrica #disneycharacters

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