HUNTERS ASSEMBLE; TRUCKS LEAVE; ANTELOPE HERD CHASED BY TRUCK; ANTELOPE RUN AWAY; CAPTURED ANTELOPE; HUNTER WITH SPEAR; CAPTURED BUFFALO; BUFFALO TETHERED; BUFFALO ONTO TRUCK; DAMAGE TO TRUCKS.




Initials GHB/VS/JF/ES



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Background: A BIG-GAME HUNT WAS ARRANGED RECENTLY IN NIGER TO CAPTURE BUFFALO AND ANTELOPE ALIVE TO MEET DEMANDS FROM THE COUNTRY'S NATIONAL MUSEUM AND FOREIGN ZOOS.

THE EXPEDITION, WITH AN EXPERIENCED HUNTER IN CHARGE; LEFT THE SMALL VILLAGE OF TOMBOLE, SOUTH OF NIAMEY, FOR A THREE-DAY TREK. USING TWO SPECIALLY EQUIPPED LAND ROVERS, THE HUNTERS WERE AIMING TO CAPTURE ALIVE A PAIR OF YOUNG BUFFALO AND TEN ANTELOPES, FIVE MALE AND FIVE FEMALE.

AN EXPEDITION OF THIS SORT IS TOUGH GOING -- PARTICULARLY FOR THE VEHICLES. AFTER THE TRACKERS HAVE FOUND ANIMALS TRACKS CROSSING THE PATH THEY SCOUT AHEAD UNTIL THE HERB IS SIGHTED. AND THEN THE CHASE IS ON. THE TRUCKS HAVE TO NEGOTIATE THE UNEVEN COUNTRY AT HIGH SPEED TO KEEP UP WITH THE ANIMALS, AND SUPERFICIAL DAMAGE IS INEVITABLE.

THIS HUNT WAS PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL, AND THE CAPTURED ANIMALS WERE TAKEN BACK IN CAGES TO THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NIGER.