The Status of Nepal's Mammals: The National Red List Series - IUCN

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5) Procapra picticaudata (Hodgson, 1846)
Common Names
Tibetan Gazelle (English); Ghowa (Nepali)
Species Description
Small antelope. Males have horns that rise straight
upwards and then take a sudden sharp curve back.
Short coat and grey-fawn colour in summer and pale
fawn in winter with white undersides.
Species Ecology
The Tibetan Gazelle occurs in alpine meadow and
alpine steppe but uses other lower-elevation plains,
valleys and mountain shrub land at elevations up
to 5, 750 m. This species feeds on legumes, grasses
and forbs. Gestation takes five to six months usually
resulting in a single offspring.
Conservation Status
Global: Near Threatened
National: Critically Endangered B1ab(iii); D
Rationale for assessment: The Tibetan Gazelle
(Procapra picticaudata) has been assessed as
Critically Endangered under criterion B1ab(iii); D.
This species has only been observed in a single
location in Nepal with an extent of occurrence less
than 100 km 2 . Alterations to its habitat are causing
a decline of suitable habitat areas and preventing
cross-border movement of the population due to
the construction of a large fence, therefore
reducing the chance of any rescue effect from
surrounding populations. The areas of suitable
habitat available for this species remain limited
to within protected areas with little connectivity
between areas. This species is also considered to be
Critically Endangered under criterion D, because of
the small number of mature individuals. In addition
to habitat reduction and alterations, this species
is also a target for hunters and faces increasing
competition from livestock.
Legal Status
National Parks and Wildlife ConservationAct 2029
(1973). This species only occurs in a single protected
area.
National Population Size
Total: < 100 (estimated)
Although further and more extensive surveys of
their potential habitats are required to establish
the true population size, the population in Nepal is
currently thought to consist of only 45 individuals in
the Dhalung Rangeland.
National Distribution
Observations of this species have been made in
Korrala and Dhalung in the Mustang district within
the Annapurna Conservation Area.
Distribution outside Nepal
China, India.
Main Threats
• Food competition with livestock.
• Inbreeding.
• Physical barriers (fence) constructed along the
border in a core area, affecting migration.
• Hunting.
• Feral dog predation of calves.