Eland , either of two African antelope that are the most massive of all true antelope. The common eland of central and southern Africa has a fawn-colored coat; it develops a broad, deep-fringed dewlap. Its strong horns spiral straight upward and can grow to about 1.2 m (about 4 ft) long in large males; in females the horns are shorter and more slender. The derby eland of southern Africa attains a height of about 1.8 m (about 6 ft) at the shoulder and has longer horns. Elands are gregarious animals. They can live for more than 20 years in captivity; life expectancy in the wild is probably shorter. Hunted for their meat, they are potentially valuable as domestic animals.