CONSERVATION OF ARABIAN GAZELLES - Nwrc.gov.sa

14. Survey of Gazelle Populations in South· West Saudi
Arabia and Recommendations for their Conservation
Chris Magin
A modified version of this article was published in Biological Conservation, Vol. 70: 69·75
( 1994).
Abstract: Nineteen different areas in south-west Saudi Arabia from which gazelle had beell reported
in the last five years (1988 - 1992) were visited between August and December 1992. Ground
surveys were carried out on foot in the company of reliable local guides with an intimate knowledge
of each area. Time spent on ground surveys varied from one half to eight days. Evidence of the
continued presence of gazelle (faeces, tracks, sightings, reports) was obtained at 10 locations. All
these populations were small: estimated population sizes ranged from five 10 50. In eight of the
remaining areas it appeared that gazelle had become locally extinct since the last report or visit by
NCWCD biologists, while at one it was not clear whether gazelle had ever been present in the recent
past. Thus populations currently appear to be becoming extinct at a truly alarming rate (eight out of
18, or 44% extinctions in the past five years).
Ninety seven gazelle observations were made. of which 10 were actual sighlings. A total of
17 gazelles were seen in five different locations. Group size ranged from one 10 three (mean = 1.7,
SD = 0.7). All observers identified Ihe gazelles seen as Gazella gazella cora. In the five areas where
gazelle spoor was found but no gazelle were seen, local people were unanimous that Ihe taxon
present was also G. g. cora. No evidence was found for the existence of G. g. erlangeri in the survey
zone. The major current threat to gazelle populations is illegal hunting. Immediate and effective
action by NCWCD is needed to protect those remnant gazelle populations which may be viable in the
long term.
Keywords: Mountain gazelle, Gazella gazella cora, south-west Saudi Arabia, survey, population
status, conservation recommendations.
Introduction
Many reports and publications have stressed the critical status of the small scattered populations of
gazelle on the mainland of south-west Saudi Arabia (e.g. Child et al., 1989a,b; Thouless et al., 1991).
Prior to the start of the survey, it was suspected that two taxa, both subspecies of the mountain
gazelle or idmi Gazella gazella, might occur in this zone: namely Gazella gazella cora and Gazella
gazella erlangeri. The overall status of G. g. co ra is unclear. There may be a significant population
of several thousand in the Jiddat al-Harasis region of Oman, but Daly (1993) states that its subspecific
identity has not yet been finnly established. However, on a nat ional level it is highly
endangered in Saudi Arabia. No wild population of G. g. erlangeri has yet been discovered. Both
these taxa are poorly represented in captivity.
The overall aim of this field project was thu s to identify all significant mainland populations
of gazelle in the south-west of Saudi Arabia, and where feasible outline appropriate conservation
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