Update: 19 October
Upon the birth of the fawn, social media was abuzz with suggestions on what to name the springbok.
Users took to social media platforms to share their thoughts on the name that should be given and after days of deliberation, a name has finally been chosen.
The top ten name suggestions included Charkie, Marmite, Rassie, Oreo, Kolisi, Midnight, Black Beauty, KingsBok and Allblack.
The estate however opted to name the black springbok Siya, in honour of the Springbok captain.
The George Herald has further reported that the springbok is ‘a happy little guy whose whole herd has accepted him completely.’
A rare black springbok has been born at Kingswood Golf Estate in George. The estate, which is home to a sizeable population of springbok, shared the unusual occasion over the weekend on social media, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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‘Kingswood Golf Estate welcomes its first Black Springbok. Our one in a million,’ reads a post, published to the estate’s Facebook page.
According to Jacaranda, black springboks are extremely uncommon because of a unique genetic mutation. While the exact quantities are unclear, they are substantially rarer than their common counterparts.
According to Winter Hoek Safaris, black springbuck were developed by selective breeding; the colour of the skin is all black except for the white facial stripe running up the front of the nose. The skin fold on the back is usually closed, but when the animal becomes excited, it thrusts it open, fanning a length of stiff black hair. Both genders have horns.
The revelation prompted a discourse on social media, with South Africans suggesting names for the infant. ‘Siya’ has been a popular choice, referring to South Africa’s first black Springbok rugby captain, Siya Kolisi.
The South African reports that visitors to Kingswood are accustomed to seeing springboks on the course. They will now have a better opportunity of spotting this distinctive black springbok as they make their rounds.
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Picture: Kingswood Golf Estate / Facebook
