Slender-horned gazelle
The Slender-horned gazelle is of special importance to conservation of Saharan wildlife because it is endemic to the region and associated primarily with classic sand dune habitats.
The slender-horned gazelle is the palest gazelle of the Sahara. It has a compact build, and pale creamy tone to the sandy brown body colour, separated from the white underside by a darker flank band. Both males and females have relatively long horns which are characteristically tall and upright.
The gestation is around 5.5 months. Twins are reported and it is probable that females adjust reproductive effort to conditions, between periods of drought and plenty.
They are selective feeders, picking off flowers, fruits and young leaves.
Slender-horned gazelles are particularly attracted to large sand seas areas where the wave patterns of the larger dunes allow formation of gravel basins and flat plains of varying sizes in between them.
ID card
Scientific name:
Gazella leptoceros
IUCN Red list status :
Endangered
How many left in the wild:
Current estimations are between 300 and 600. It is highly unlikely that the remaining population numbers more than a few hundred.
Geographic distribution:
The known distribution is patchy. In recent years slender-horned gazelle have only been reported with certainty in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Algeria. The species has disappeared from most of its former range in Egypt’s Western Desert and there are no confirmed records since about 2004.
Threats and challenges
The species is threatened by relentless hunting and have become especially vulnerable to the widespread use of all-terrain vehicles, quads and motorbikes. Conservation efforts are significantly hampered by security issues in many areas.
Informal reports suggest slender-horned gazelles are target of a low-level general demand for gazelle meat, which is periodically accelerated in association with special occasions.
