Blackbuck National Park, National park in Bhavnagar district, India.
Blackbuck National Park is a protected area for antelopes and waterbirds in Gujarat consisting of open grassland plains and shallow ponds. The landscape appears flat and wide, broken by bushes and acacia trees that provide shade for the animals.
The maharajas of Bhavnagar used the area as hunting grounds until the mid-20th century before it became a protected zone in 1976. This transformation helped antelope populations recover slowly after years of heavy hunting pressure.
The name refers to the dark coats of male antelopes that have roamed here in large groups for centuries. In the mornings and evenings herders bring cattle near the edge of the area while waterbirds forage among the shallow pools.
The cooler months from November through March offer the best time to visit as animals appear more often and the heat remains tolerable. Guided drives usually depart in the mornings or afternoons when the sun sits lower and visibility improves.
This site holds the country's largest group of this antelope species and males can reach running speeds around 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour). Their spiral horns and two-tone markings make them easy to recognize from a distance.
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