Topi
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Both sexes of Topi have a characteristic black patch on their shoulders & hips, and a black mask on their face. Of physiologic significance is the hump of muscle on the back above the shoulder. This enables them to be the fastest runners in East Africa. They are related to Hartebeests, and theTsessebes of Southern Africa. Both sexes bear horns. [Serengeti, Tanzania].
A Topi calf of about 3 months, with its mother. [Serengti, Tanzania].
Like this male Topi, both sexes frequently are seen standing on a mound. This is a security measure. Both the topi and tsessebe (related) have the powerful shoulder muscles and black patches. They are the fastest runners of the antelopes. Both sexes bear horns. [Masai Mara, Kenya].
Two female Topi (L, and on mound}. The one on the R is a male. [Serengeti, Tanzania].
The same two Topi females (L & Ctr), a male on the R, as in the previous image, but providing a lateral view of their bodies. Note the hump of muscle on their backs. [Serengeti, Tanzania].
This is a most unusual event involving Lions,Topi, and an Airplane: The plane is unable to land because of the presence of a herd of topi who refuse to leave the runway. They will not leave, because they wanted to be able to see what the two big Lions lying in the middle of the runway, and the rest of the pride at the edge of the runway were going to do. The airplane had buzzed both lion and topi several times! The topi wouldn't leave because they did not want to go into the high grass and have the lions follow and hunt them. Ordinarily, the topi would be frightened by the plane and flee after one low buzz. However, each time the plane buzzed these lions, they simply bowed their heads, but didn't move! The plane had to land, and so we ended the stalemate by chasing the lions off with our vehicles. When they left, the topi fled in the opposite direction, and the plane landed safely. [Seronara, Serengeti, Tanzania].