The springbok is the only gazelle species occurring in southern Africa and was once the national emblem of South Africa. Historically springbok were widespread across the region, moving in vast herds of hundreds of thousands across the land, taking days to pass a single point. With the arrival of the settlers came mass hunting and the herds diminished into little pockets of protected areas. The only gathering of any large herds today is in the Gemsbok National Park of South Africa and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana.

Both sexes have horns – those of males are larger and thicker. Black and white springbok - a genetic variation - are sometimes seen in the wild but more often found on farms where they are specifically bred.

They have a white pouch on the rump which is visible when the animal is ‘pronking’ or stotting - a very characteristic gait known that involves the animal jumping up and down on stiff legs and an arched back. The animals name is derived from this action. It was believed that this was a form of anti-predator behaviour but in careful observations it seems that this is done through sheer excitement – often seen after a summer thunderstorm.

The springbok survives in arid areas and is an intermediate feeder – browser and grazer – and can survive without water, getting its moisture from the vegetation it eats. They have adapted to survive in the harsh climate of the Namib Desert in Namibia.

Once the national emblem of South Africa the springbok is now considered the symbol of Apartheid by many people and has been thrown from all official representation except for the South African rugby team.

Despite its previous high profile the springbok is not found in South Africa’s premier game reserve Kruger National Park, in fact only occurring over a very small range of the country. This is due to its preference for arid regions.