Nyala are a beautiful, shaggy-coated antelope. The males have long hair along their bellies and twisted horns, and they're one of the prettiest animals to watch walking around a savanna. They're easy to keep and they mix with most of the other African grazers.
Group size
- 1 to 5 animals: one male with up to four females.
- You can even keep a single nyala, but a small group is happier and breeds.
Buying nyala
When you shop for nyala:
- Filter the market to cash only if you don't want to spend conservation credits.
- Sort by fertility and immunity.
- Make sure your male can actually breed. Some high-appeal males have very low fertility. A beautiful male that can't breed is wasted space.
- Use the compare mates tool to check genetic compatibility. If it says "conception is not possible", choose a different pair.
Act fast. In Franchise mode other players are buying from the same market, so good animals disappear quickly.
Habitat
Nyala aren't fussy:
- Savanna terrain with grass, some soil and a bit of cover.
- Shelter for the rainy season.
- Clean drinking water.
- A few feeders and toys.
They're also fine indoors. A big giraffe house or African animal house with nyala walking around inside looks fantastic.
Mixed habitats
Nyala are one of the easiest animals to mix. They get on with:
- Plains zebras
- Cape buffalo
- Giraffes
- Springbok and wildebeest
I put Cape buffalo and nyala together in one habitat and both species were happy. Always check the cohabitation list first, and check each species' social tab after you add a new group.
Tips
- Nyala are a great "filler" species for a big habitat that looks a bit empty.
- Use a nyala education board or animal sign near the viewing area. Guests often don't know what they are.