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Oribi are currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN redlist.

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Oribi depend on natural grasslands for their survival (Coverdale et al., 2006). Skinner and Chimimba (2007) described that based on their morphological features of the digestive system; they were the first African antelopes to become entirely grass feeders. Foraging guild classification categorized Ourebia ourebi as concentrate grazers (Boshoff et al., 2002). They favour moist grassland on flat to gently undulating terrain with actively growing short grass for food adjacent to long grass which is required to provide cover from the predators, as well as shelter for the young which are left to lie out for the first 8 to 10 weeks (Marchant et al., 2007) 

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Oribi are propably the world's smalles pure grazer antelope,

Oribi occur in pairs or in small family groups in grassland habitat.  As territorial species, they defend their territories against other Oribi, also chasing the male lambs out when these juveniles reach one year of age.
Habitat quality, habitat management and protection from poaching determine Oribi densities, which can range from one Oribi per 8 - 30ha

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The oribi emits a shrill whistle when alarmed, and then gallops away, bounding stiff-legged into the air every few strides, in order to glance in all directions above the vegetation. Oribi roam on their own, in pairs or in small groups. Males mark their territory by a secretion from the glands in front of their eyes. Oribi rest during the heat of the day, and are most active in the morning, late afternoon and evening. They are grazers, and are often seen in areas after veld fires, as they eat the fresh green grass shoots that spring up.  

 

because of their small stature, the Oribi are more apt to run and hide at the first sign of danger. When startled by predators, the Oribi emits a high-pitched shriek and undergoes a unique display known as "stotting", which occurs when a beast with straight legs leaps vertically rather than laterally. 

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KEY POINTS
• Oribi are small, vulnerable animals, that are sparsely distributed.
• They have limited habitat tolerances, favouring flat or undulating, good-quality grassland.
• They require short grass for grazing and long grass for shelter.
• Both short grass and long grass must be present.
• Oribi are easily killed by dogs or poachers.