The yield and carcass chemical composition of impala (Aepyceros melampus), a southern African antelope species

This investigation analyses the commercial carcass yields and chemical composition of impala (Aepyceros melampus). The potential of this species for the export market is also discussed. Impala rams (eight) and ewes (eight) cropped commercially in Zimbabwe were found to have a similar dressout proportion (580 g kg⁻¹), although the males had a heavier live weight (49.4 ± 4.606 kg) than the females (33.5 ± 3.417 kg). Sexual dimorphism was shown, with the males having significantly (p < 0.01) heavier necks (69 ± 5.47 g kg⁻¹) and forequarters (279 ± 3.79 g kg⁻¹) than the females (51 ± 1.70 and 259 ± 2.15 g kg⁻¹ respectively) when expressed as a proportion of cold carcass weight (27.6 ± 2.551 and 19.0 ± 1.960 kg for males and females respectively). No sexual effects (p > 0.2) were found in the mean chemical proximate composition of the 9‐10‐11 rib cut for the moisture (724.0 ± 14.00 g kg⁻¹ pooled sample), protein (238.3 ± 7.46 g kg⁻¹ pooled sample) and ash (21.2 ± 3.74 g kg⁻¹ pooled sample) contents. The females had a statistically higher (p = 0.0197) mean total lipid content (33.9 ± 1.705 g kg⁻¹) than the males (24.5 ± 3.171 g kg⁻¹). This investigation occurred at the end of the impala rut season, a period when the rams not only consume less feed but also expend more energy owing to strenuous activities in fighting for and maintaining a harem. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry