Look at the antlers. Any male elk or deer will have a set of antlers growing from its head, but the ones inhabiting Africa will feature a "cup" of horns. This cup features more than four or five horns radiating out of a curved center that is attached to the main root on the head. This is a defining characteristic of these African deer that is absent in similar animals of other species.
Count the toes on the animal if possible. All the members of the elk and deer family in Africa feature an even number of toes.
Use the colors of the fur to identify the African elk or deer species. Depending on the season, these animals change the coloration of their coat, making them identifiable against other similar animals. In the summer, both males and females will have a dark red, almost brown, thin coat. Some males will also grow a mane similar in color. Winter months bring out a more easily identifiable whitish-gray coat on the African elk or deer species. This is in stark contrast to other similar animals of the area, which keep a reddish coating.
