Twenty years of monitoring a re-introduced population of Mountain Gazelles, Gazella gazella (Pallas, 1776), in the Ibex Reserve, Saudi Arabia
2012
Wronski, Torsten | Alageel, Khalid | Plath, Martin | Sandouka, Mohamed A.
In order to re-establish a population of Mountain Gazelles (Gazella gazella (Pallas, 1776)) in the Tuwayq Mountains, central Saudi Arabia, a re-introduction program was initiated in 1990, with 11 releases between 1990 and 2007. The number of gazelles in the Ibex Reserve initially increased during the 5 years after the first release but then diminished dramatically. After about 10 years the decrease levelled out and the population remained more or less stable at about 0.9–1.9 gazelles/km ² (60–80 gazelles) in the two wadi systems into which gazelles were released. This population is likely to remain small due to limited food as a result of droughts and also to competition with livestock, both of which apparently lead to increased dispersal to sites outside the Reserve. This, in turn, results in increasing conflict with humans. Food and shelter availability and the effects on home range size, dispersal behaviour, and population density of the already existent population on further repatriation success, and population establishment are reviewed in more detail. Further releases of Mountain Gazelles into the Ibex Reserve need to be carefully considered. Improved protection of the naturally occurring Mountain Gazelle population is imperative for the survival of this species in Saudi Arabia.
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