Lesser kudu classified under the genus "Tragelaphus" in family Bovidae. It was first described by the English zoologist Edward Blyth in 1869. The generic name, "Tragelaphus", derives from Greek word "tragos", meaning a male goat, and "elaphos", which means a deer, while the specific name "imberbis" comes from the Latin term meaning unbearded, referring to this kudu's lack of mane. The vernacular name kudu (or koodoo) could have originated either from the Afrikaans "koedoe" or the Khoikhoi "kudu". The term "lesser" denotes the smaller size of this antelope as compared to the greater kudu. In 1912, the genus "Ammelaphus" was established for
Greater kudu However, they are evaluated as low risk in the IUCN Red List of endangered species. The long-term survival of the greater kudu at large is not in jeopardy as populations located elsewhere remain robust and well-managed. The greater kudu receives adequate protection from southern Tanzania to South Africa. There are large populations in parks and reserves such as Ruaha-Rungwa-Kisigo and Selous (Tanzania), Luangwa Valley and Kafue (Zambia), Etosha (Namibia), Moremi, Chobe and Central Kalahari (Botswana), Hwange, Chizarira, Mana Pools and Gonarezhou (Zimbabwe) and in Kruger (11,200 – 17,300) and Hluhluwe–iMfolozi (South Africa). An abundance of greater kudu is also found