Dama gazelle
Dama gazelle | |
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Addra gazelle (N. d. ruficollis) at Maryland Zoo in Baltimore , Maryland
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Mhorr gazelle (N. d. mhorr) at Louisville Zoo in Louisville, Kentucky | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Family: | Bovidae |
Subfamily: | Antilopinae |
Tribe: | Antilopini |
Genus: | Nanger |
Species: | N. dama
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Binomial name | |
Nanger dama (Pallas, 1766)
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Subspecies[3] | |
also see text | |
Geographic range | |
Synonyms | |
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The dama gazelle (Nanger dama), also known as the addra gazelle or mhorr gazelle, is a species of
In Niger, the dama gazelle has become a national symbol. Under the Hausa name meyna or ménas,[5] the dama gazelle appears on the badge of the Niger national football team, who are popularly called the Ménas.[6][7]
Description
The dama gazelle is white with a reddish-brown head and neck. Both sexes usually have medium-length ringed
Subspecies status and conservation
The dama gazelle is generally divided into three subspecies based on the colour of the animal's back, flanks and haunches. These three subspecies occupied three blocks running along the east–west axis of the gazelle's range. The easternmost is the N. dama ruficollis (common name addra gazelle) whose historical range was to the east of 15°E. The westernmost is the N. dama mhorr (common name mohor or mhorr gazelle) whose historical range was to the west of 7°E. Between the two was the historical range of the N. dama dama. Genetic studies have raised questions over the validity of these subspecies and the variation in colour (phenotype) appears to be clinal.[10]
- N. d. mhorr, the mhorr gazelle, is extinct in the wild (last known wild sighting was in 1968), but present in captive breeding programs in Europe, North America, North Africa and the Middle East, and several efforts have reintroduced animals into former and similar habitat areas.[10][11]
- N. d. dama (nominate subspecies) is only kept in captivity at Al Ain Zoo in the United Arab Emirates,[12] and is very rare in the wild.[11]
- N. d. ruficollis, the addra gazelle, is present in captive breeding programs in Europe, North America and the Middle East, and very rare in the wild.[10]
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Illustration of N. d. ruficollis
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Illustration of N. d. mhorr
The numbers of this species in the wild have fallen by 80% over the last decade. The
Threats to survival
Biological threats
The Dama gazelle does not need a lot of water, but it needs more than other desert animals. It is not as resistant and perishes from a lack of water during the drought season. The environment has become ill-suited for it. Habitat pressure from pastoral activity is another reason for decline, as are introduced diseases from livestock.[13]
Human threats
Another reason for the decline of the dama gazelle is habitat destruction. Humans cut down the branches of the trees on which this gazelle feeds. As a result, the trees die and the gazelle cannot eat.[14] Human threats are the most dangerous of threats to the dama gazelle. The main reason this species of gazelle is endangered is because of mechanized hunting; hunters using vehicles increase its decline. Civil unrest, for instance in Sudan, also negatively affects the life of the dama gazelle. Since the gazelle is already having a hard time surviving, these conditions have made its habitat unsuitable.[15] A potential threat the dama gazelle faces is tourism. Tourists want to take pictures of this endangered species, and in doing so, may be perceived as a threat, especially during the hot season.[14] Gazelles will run away from perceived danger, and in the hot season may overheat and die of stress.
Conservation efforts
Relatively few actions have been taken in the conservation of the dama gazelle.
A reserve for mhorr gazelles was set up in 1971 to help avoid extinction. This reserve, Parque de Rescate de la Fauna Sahariana (Rescue Park for Saharan Fauna) of the Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (Experimental Station of Arid Zones), is in Spain. The reserve has been a success and is still around today.[16]
Another reserve for the mhorr subspecies was set up in Chad, the Ouadi Rime-Ouadi Achime Faunal Reserve.[14] This reserve was effective from 1978–1987, but due to civil war, it was abandoned.[13]
Captive breeding is a very popular way to help an endangered species repopulate. The species reproduces in captivity, but the small
Small population size and inbreeding are a serious concern in this population due to the increased parasite load and reduced reproductive viability.
In 2015, a reintroduction project was conducted in the Western Saharan territory of Morocco, in the Safia Natural Reserve close to the border with Mauritania.[19] 24 gazelles were released in a semi-enclosed facility, seven of which were monitored with telemetry collars. During the course of the project, animals experienced a poaching event, resulting in the deaths of three animals. Additionally, seven animals were killed by domestic dogs from nearby military outposts, suggesting that the animals do not recognize potential predators. This milestone project proved that reintroduction of wild animals in this part of the world is extremely difficult despite the favorable sentiment of the majority of local communities.
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Rotterdam Zoo, the Netherlands
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Addra gazelle at Binder Park Zoo, Battle Creek, Michigan, U.S.
References
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ Nanger dama, MSW3
- ^ "Nanger dama (Dama gazelle)". Animal Diversity Web.
- ^ Dama Gazelle Nanger dama, Sahara Conservation Fund, 2007–2011
- ^ Orange 2012 Afcon qualifiers: 130 Million FCFA for the Menas, StarAfrica Sports, 2011-05-22, archived from the original on 2011-11-09
- ^ Menas to test Pharaohs form, Confederation of African Football, October 9, 2010, archived from the original on 2010-10-13
- ^ "Arkive Dama Gazelle". Archived from the original on 2013-06-08. Retrieved 2013-03-06.
- ^ Gazella Dama Historical Studbook. AZA. 2008.
- ^ PMID 24956104.
- ^ .
- ^ "Zootierliste Homepage". Retrieved 2016-11-28.
- ^ a b c d "Addra gazelle, Gazella dama ruficollis" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- ^ .
- ^ Thompson, A. (2007). "Sudan's migrating wildlife wows scientists". MSNBC.
- ^ PMID 18022681.
- ^ "Addra Gazelle". Retrieved 21 June 2013.
- S2CID 27310417.
- hdl:10261/201572.