Dorcas gazelle
The largest remaining population of dorcas gazelles, some 50-60,000 animals, is to be found in Chad’s Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve.
A relatively small gazelle, weighing 15-20kg, generally recognised by the warm light brown tones of the upperparts. A broad dark brown flank stripe contrasts with a pale sandy band above and pure white belly below. Their face markings are well defined.
As in other gazelles the nearly black tail is constantly being rapidly twitched from side to side against the pure white rump.
They often ‘pronk’ stiffly when disturbed, and run fast, tail held aloft.
Both males and females have horns of which the shape varies but male dorcas horns are usually strongly lyrate. The horns of the female are much thinner, lighter, and less curved.
ID card
Scientific name:
Gazella dorcas
IUCN Red list status :
Vulnerable
How many left in the wild:
About 100,000, with a decreasing population
Geographic distribution:
Across the entire Sahel and Sahara but many populations are locally extinct or threatened with imminent extinction.
Threats and challenges
The main threats to dorcas gazelles, as for other gazelles, are hunting, especially from motorbikes and desert-going quads; habitat loss through agricultural encroachment; and lack of conservation action (resources, security).
Dorcas gazelles appear to suffer periodic die-offs due to epidemic diseases.