Blaubok

/ˈblaʊ.bɑk/ noun

Definition

An extinct South African antelope (Hippotragus leucophaeus) that was blue-gray in color and hunted to extinction by the 18th century.

Etymology

From Dutch/Afrikaans blau (blue) plus bok (buck/antelope), reflecting the animal's grayish-blue coloration. Dutch settlers in South Africa named many animals using this descriptive system.

Kelly Says

The blaubok is one of the first documented large mammals driven to extinction by European hunters—it's been extinct since around 1799, making it a symbol of what happens when we don't protect wildlife.

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