Issues and Challenges in the Conservation of the Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa; Güldenstadt, 1780)

Despite it is listed as a vulnerable species since 2006, the population of the goitered gazelle is continuously declining. Illegal hunting and habitat destruction are considered as the main causes of this decline, even though this species is very adaptable to various ecosystems - especially arid environments - and was highly resilient to intense hunting pressures until the late nineteen century. Important efforts for conservation have been realized by the implementation of protected areas and have even led to reintroduction. However, the design of these protected areas could be improved. Several studies about habitat selection and home range size of re-introduced goitered gazelles have shown that protected areas should be re-arranged or shifted to areas more intensively used by gazelles. Moreover, habitat fragmentation , which can be involuntary reinforced by the design of protected areas, is a real threat for this migratory species. Indeed, isolation, whatever its origin, leads inevitably to lower genetic diversity.

Keywords: Goitered Gazelle, Migratory Species, Habitat Fragmentation, Genetic Diversity, Isolation, Protected Areas, Conservation.