Outstanding Sable
Thanks to Fergus Flynn for sharing his photos of the two sable from the Kafue (Magnum, March/april 2021). I am more than delighted to hear that this region in Zambia still produces such outstanding sable. The sable in the top photo I would have guessed at more than the 46.6 inches but, never-the-less, a truly magnificent animal. The skull and horns of the 51" pick up are most spectacular.
As you may know, Werner Brach of Zambia Safaris hunted the largest common sable in recent times with his client Mr Damon at Sichifulo, in 1972. Photo 1 by Werner Brach shows the tracker, Werner and Mr Damon with the sable. It measured and is recorded in Rowland Ward at 54¾ inches. Werner also hunted several other sable of over 50 inches in the Kafue region.
Rowland Ward lists a 55" sable also from Kafue taken in 1920, and an even larger head of 55⅜" from Tshokwane in
South Africa taken in 1898.
Out of interest, the strictly protected Giant Sable of Angola is doing well, mostly due to the huge conservation efforts of Pedro vaz Pinto. Rowland Ward lists the largest Giant Sable recorded at 64⅞ inches taken in 1949 – that would have been something to have seen!
Photo 2 by Pedro vaz Pinto is a recent photo of a fabulous Giant Sable sent to me by wildlife vet and conservationist, Pete Morkel, of Namibia. Pete has done a lot of work with Pedro vaz Pinto in the Luando reserve. Pete tells me this bull is still living and his horns were measured at 59 inches when sedated in 2016. I wonder how big his horns will be now, that is if he hasn’t broken them or worn them down? – Robin Hurt