Ghana. Northern Region. Mole National Park. Two roan antelopes stand in the savanah. The roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) is a large, savanna-dwelling antelope found in Western, Southern, and parts of Central and Eastern Africa. Named for its roan colour (a slightly reddish, sandy-brown), it has a lighter-toned underbelly and a (mostly) white face and snout, but with a black "mask" around the eyes and on the bridge of the snout, being somewhat lighter in females. Additionally, a pair of formidable, recurved horns (made of keratin-covered bone) are present on the heads of both males and females, albeit larger on the males, growing up to 100 cm. long. Males and females have short, erect, mohawk-like manes running down their back and very light, shaggy neckbeards, both of which are more pronounced in males. Both mane and neckbeard are tinted with darker tips, which run the length of the animal's back and belly, ending in a dark-coloured tail. The ears are long, erect, and donkey-like. The roan is among the world's largest antelopes measuring 190–240 cm from the head to the base of the tail, with a 37–48 cm -long tail. Males weigh upwards of 242–300 kg and females 223–280 kg with a shoulder height of around 130–140 cm. Mole National Park is the country's largest wildlife refuge. The park is located in the Savannah region of Ghana on savanna and riparian ecosystems at an elevation of 50 m, with a sharp escarpment forming the southern boundary of the park. It covers an area of about 4,577 square kilometers of fairly undisturbed Guinea savannah in the northern part of Ghana. This region is characterized by a unique blend of forested areas and savanna, creating a diverse and dynamic landscape. 8.12.2024 © 2024 Didier Ruef