What could be the origin of black kobs in Murchison Falls?

In Murchison Falls National Park, there is probably no animal, except those that accompanied the Biblical Noah to the Ark that has caused as much debate as the three black Kob previously unknown in the park. Many questions have been raised on the origin of these three black kobs that are seen grazing with the brown Uganda Kob in the park. Curious visitors to Murchison Falls National Park and wildlife experts have had a great deal of their attention consumed by 3 black Kob that were first sighted in the park 4 years ago.

Up to now, Park authorities are wondering whether the black ones have existed in the park before and had not been discovered, or were born with a defective skin like albinos among human beings.

Expected Origin of Black Kob in Murchison Falls National Park?

According to the monitoring officer in Murchison Jennifer Atuhirwe, who first made a report about the mysterious black species, say the black Kob probably migrated from southern Sudan where similar species occur.

However, there is much doubt whether the black Kob walked all the way from southern Sudan because, it is only large mammals like elephants that are known to migrate long distances. Additionally, Atuhirwe stressed that, it is not easy for such small mammals to survive predators like lions and hunters who settled in parts of the corridor used by mammals migrating from Sudan to Uganda.

Atuhirwe also says probably mutation, where genes responsible for making a brown skin change to black, had a hand in this. Although most of the research in the park has focused on large mammals, it not possible that since colonial times, researchers had not encountered black kobs. Therefore, resolving this mystery lies in the hands of veterinarians and biologists working at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
This calls for study samples of blood from the brown kobs and black kobs to come to a logical and satisfying conclusion. In Atuheirwe’s conclusions, it is not easy at the moment to account for the origin of the black kobs in Murchison Falls National Park.
Atuheirwe’s report reveal that, despite the fact that the black kobs associate and feed with the brown ones, they have not been sighted mating.

According to Sam Mwandha, the acting Executive Director of UWA, other than the brown ones, some kobs are grey, tending towards white. This has prompted a suggestion that, they could be breeding with their close relatives since they are confined to the parks and no longer migrate to other areas.

Although Mwandha and his team seem to put a lot of emphasis on protecting species, it is a big weakness to ignore the genetic make up of the animals. Fewer genes mean inbreeding and in case of a disease outbreak, the entire animal population may be easily swept away.

In conclusion therefore, observations of the black kobs in Murchison falls National Park could be an early warning signal that should not be ignored by Mwandha and his team. They should investigate and help the wildlife authority to make informed decisions.