The distribution map of reedbuck, waterbuck, lechwe and puku in the early twentieth century in Namibia (Figure 4) is based on Shortridge (1934) but has been modified slightly to show the ranges extending into Angola and Botswana (ULG 1995).

Reedbuck

Shortridge shows the range as extending throughout the Western Caprivi and, since it seems unlikely that the species was ever permanently resident in the central part of the Caprivi Strip, I have omitted this part of the supposed range. The map gives the impression that reedbuck were present in a continuous belt from the eastern end of the Caprivi to the upper Cunene River. Smithers (1983) notes that, because of their specialised habitat requirements, reedbuck distributions are likely to be patchy and discontinuous. Many of the areas shown on the map may only have been visited during wet seasons. It is of interest that reedbuck were recorded as far west as the Ruacana Falls on the Cunene and as far south as central Khaudum.

Waterbuck

Waterbuck appear to have been limited to the Eastern Caprivi, although Shortridge gives occasional sightings on the Kavango River close to the southern border with Botswana. The historical range for the species appears to coincide with that of puku. Shortridge (1934) notes that the Defassa Waterbuck was occasionally found in Namibia in the extreme eastern Caprivi, on the upper Kwando River and on the upper Kavango River.

Lechwe

At one time lechwe were fairly common on the Okavango river, with separate populations occurring around Rundu (50km east and west of Rundu) and in the south close to the Botswan border. In the eastern Caprivi, lechwe occupied a range similar to puku but the population extended northwards into Angola along the Kwando River for some distance. Populations were abundant probably numbering tens of thousands.

Puku

In the early part of the twentieth century puku were common along the Zambezi and Chobe rivers on both banks. Smithers (1983) observes that although the species is still present along the Chobe River in Botswana, it appears to have disappeared from Caprivi. Puku were once common on Impalila Island at the eastern tip of the Caprivi but human settlement and cattle grazing appear to have displaced them.