Editing Common eland (section)

==Interaction with humans==
===Conservation===
[[File:Taurotragus.oryx-01-Krakow.jpg|thumb|left|Common eland in a zoo in [[Kraków]], Poland]]
Currently, common elands are not endangered. They are conserved by the United States Endangered Species Act, and regulated in international trade by the [[CITES|Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species]].<ref name=Antelope>{{cite web|last=Dolly|first=Stephanie L.|title=Common Eland|url=http://www.antelopetag.com/assets/docs/Antelope/Common_Eland.pdf|author2=Stephen Shurter}}</ref> A 2016 assessment for the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN) [[Red List]] estimates the number of mature individuals to be 90,000-110,000, with populations considered stable or increasing in the countries of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya and Tanzania.<ref name="IUCN"/>

The population is, however, gradually decreasing due to habitat loss, caused by expanding human settlements and poaching for its superior meat.<ref name=pdf3>{{cite book|last=East|first=compiled by R.|title=West and Central Africa.|year=1990|publisher=IUCN|location=Gland|isbn=978-2-8317-0016-8|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n22ER5vZqTkC&q=common+eland&pg=PA131|page=131|chapter-format=PDF|chapter=Common Eland (''Tragelaphus oryx'')}}</ref> As they are docile and inactive most of the time, they can easily be killed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/mammalia/artiodactyla/common-eland.htm#ec |title=Ecology and conservation of the eland |publisher=Seaworld.org |access-date=5 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619004728/http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/mammalia/artiodactyla/common-eland.htm#ec |archive-date=19 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The species became extinct in [[Swaziland|Eswatini]]<ref name="wilson"/> and [[Zimbabwe]],<ref name="thinkquest1"/> but has been reintroduced.

The IUCN states that about half of the estimated total population lives in protected areas and 30% on private land. Protected areas that support major populations include [[Omo National Park|Omo]] (Ethiopia), [[Serengeti]], Katavi, Ruaha, and Selous-Kilombero (Tanzania), [[Kafue]] and North Luangwa ([[Zambia]]), [[Nyika Plateau|Nyika]] ([[Malawi]]), [[Etosha]] ([[Namibia]]), [[Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park]] ([[Botswana]]/[[South Africa]]) and [[Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park]] (South Africa).<ref name="IUCN"/> Most of these populations appear to be stable. Relatively large numbers of common elands now live on private land, particularly in Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, reflecting its value as a trophy animal. Common elands have also been widely domesticated in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Russia, and Ukraine.<ref name="IUCN"/><ref name=consv>{{cite book|editor-last=East|editor-first=Rod |title=African antelope database 1998|year=1999|publisher=The IUCN Species Survival Commission|location=Gland, Switzerland|isbn=978-2-8317-0477-7 |page=139 |chapter=Common Eland (Conservation status)}}</ref>

===Uses===
[[File:Skinningeland.png|thumb|A common eland being [[skinning|skinned]] for its leather.]]
[[File:Tame Eland - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Tame elands]]
[[File:Grootfontein COA.svg|thumb|upright|Coat of arms of [[Grootfontein]], Namibia]]
The common eland is sometimes farmed and hunted for its meat, and in some cases can be better used than cattle because it is more suited to African climates. This has led to some Southern African farmers switching from [[cattle]] to eland. Common elands are also pictured as supporters in the [[coat of arms]] of [[Grootfontein]], Namibia.

===Husbandry===
Common elands have a mild [[temperament]] and have been successfully [[Domestication|domesticated]] for meat and milk production in South Africa and Russia.<ref name="rafferty"/> Their need for water is quite low because they produce [[urine]] with a high [[urea]] content, but they require a substantial grazing area, along with [[Mineral lick|salt licks]] and large amounts of supplementary feed such as [[maize]], [[sorghum]], [[melon]]s, and [[bean]]s, which can be expensive. A female can produce up to {{convert|7|kg|lb|abbr=on}} of milk per day that is richer in [[milkfat]] than cow milk. The pleasant-tasting milk has a [[butterfat]] content of 11-17% and can be stored for up to eight months if properly prepared, versus several days for cow milk.<ref name=Pappas/>

Housing common elands is difficult due to their ability to jump over fences as high as {{convert|3|m|abbr=on}} or simply break through using their substantial mass. Sometimes, wild elands break through enclosures to mix with domesticated ones. Common elands can reproduce in captivity, but calf survival is low and the young may need to be separated from their mothers to ensure health and adequate feeding.<ref name = Pappas/> [[Animal husbandry|Husbandry]] requires care because the generally placid animals startle easily and require large amounts of space.<ref name=Harris/>