Now released in English: The Puku Antelope

Where does the fascination for the animal come from?

In 2007, I traveled to Africa for the first time, specifically to Zambia, to collect data on Puku antelopes. It was my diploma thesis and contributed to a doctoral project on leopards. One of the leopard’s prey species was the Puku antelope, which was my first encounter with this type of animal. I then realized that despite being a relatively large antelope and quite common in Zambia, there was little scientific literature about the species. That’s why I decided to focus on the Puku antelope for my dissertation – I have a natural inclination to learn everything about it I can!

How did the book come about?

There’s a series called “Mammalian Species” by the American Society of Mammalogists that summarizes knowledge about specific mammal species – like a condensed version. However, it’s written in a very scientific manner and intended for a specific, small audience – namely scientists and researchers. On the other hand, it has always been important to me that we don’t just create science for scientists, but for all people of all ages and educational backgrounds. So, I had the ambitious idea to write a book based on my contribution about Pukus in the “Mammalian Species” series that would be accessible to everyone.

What’s the book about?

It’s a comprehensive study of the species. It covers everything from the history of its discovery – David Livingstone encountered them during his 19th-century travels for scientific purposes, which is nicely put, as the local people were already familiar with them – to the current state of knowledge. What has been researched? Why do we call it the Puku antelope? What are related species? How does it interact with other antelopes? Who are its predators? We know it’s a grazer, but what exactly does it eat? Or what other plants might it consume? What threats does it face from humans? All these questions and many more are answered or discussed in the book.

Why was it so important for you that the book also appears in English?

Well, having the book about an African antelope available not only in the German-speaking world but also in English significantly expands its reach. For me, it’s important that my book is read and understood, especially where the animals naturally inhabit Africa. There was an economic concern that a translation of a book from this series might not sell well. However, I insisted persistently that an English edition be produced – and I also took on the financial risk. Especially when I think about my research time in Africa and the people I collaborate closely with there – how dedicated they are to conservation – it became a necessity for me. We go there and take up their time: They show us “their world”, the savannah and its unique nature. With this book, I also want to give something back and show them my respect. Everything, including protection and research, starts with the enthusiasm that my book about the Puku antelope aims to ignite.

How does it feel to bring this knowledge back to Africa as a European researcher?

Above all, it feels right. Science shouldn’t be a one-way street leading to the famous ivory tower. I’m soon traveling to Zambia for the tenth time, where I’ve spent almost two years of my life in total. I’m now referred to as “Doctor Puku” there – a term meant kindly and that fills me with pride. With the help of smartphones and the internet, networking works well even across great distances. It’s not like it was 15 years ago when I first went there, and it felt very far away. Maintaining and strengthening this connection is important to me. I’m also engaged in children’s and youth work voluntarily, trying to pass on my knowledge of the wildlife to the next generation. I’m not just a biologist by profession, but a biologist with heart and soul – I’m happy to do this in my free time as well. In the end, the protection of nature succeeds together, by all of us putting in effort, and that includes sharing knowledge.

Dr. Vera Rduch, Project Coordinator “GBOL III: Dark Taxa”, and researcher at LIB. Vera Rduch has always been fascinated by nature, especially animals, leading her to pursue a biology degree at the University of Bonn. After her diploma thesis in 2008, she went on to complete her dissertation, both of which were done at the Museum Koenig. She was awarded the Alexander Koenig Society’s dissertation prize in 2014 for her work on “Population Status and Ecology of the Puku Antelope in Zambia”. Since 2014, she has been working for the German Barcode of Life Project (GBOL), becoming the central coordinator in 2019.

• Die Puku-Antilope, Die Neue Brehm Bücherei Bd. 669, Verlags KG Wolf, 1. Auflage 2022, 288 Seiten, ISBN: 978-3-89432-448-3, https://www.neuebrehm.de/buecher/767-die-puku-antilope
• The Puku Antelope, Die Neue Brehm Bücherei Bd. 684, Militzke Verlag GmbH, 1. Auflage 2023, This book is based on the German edition of Die Puku-Antilope (1st edition 2022), 266 Seiten, ISBN: 978-3-89432-971-6, https://www.neuebrehm.de/buecher/771-the-puku-antelope