Derbianus Game
Games in Pretoria

It is the vision of Derbianus Game Breeders to assist in the conservation of the largest and arguably most magnificent antelope on the African continent, the Lord Derby Eland Tragelaphus derbianus, through the establishment of an ex situ breeding herd in South Africa.

Africa has the richest large wildlife fauna in the world with more than 70 recorded antelope species. Africa is the world leader in the number and concentration of ungulates and has the greatest gene pool of these animals in the world. They form an important part of the original African eco-systems, are modest in grazing and browsing and are more resistant to diseases than domestic livestock. Of the more than 70 antelope species on the African continent, the largest and arguably most magnificent is the Lord Derby Eland (formally and also classified as Taurotragus derbianus. It is our mission to assist in the conservation and future preservation of this magnificent antelope through the establishment of an ex situ breeding herd in South Africa. South Africa is the world leader in wildlife relocation and trade with a very well developed and equipped wildlife and game industry. The industry serves as an excellent example of the conservation of rare game species through sustainable utilization. For this very reason South Africa with its’ relatively hot climate is perfectly positioned to assist in the conservation of the Lord Derby Eland as, at this stage, most of Africa and the world is unfortunately not. It is critical to ensure that the relocation of Lord Derby Eland however does not create any risk for the introduction or spread of disease or pathogens and Derbianus Game Breeders has thus commenced with a formal Risk Analysis to comply with the international guidelines of the World Animal Health Organisation, the OIE. As a conservation effort it is also imperative that the genetic integrity and diversity of the Lord Derby Eland is protected and the project will be executed in such a manner that there is no possible risk for cross species and sub-species breeding ensuring proper biodiversity management.