Damagazelle Gazella dama (Pallas, 1766)
English: Dama Gazelle; French: Gazelle Dama; Arabic: Ariel, Mhorr; Dinka: Riel; Hausa: Farin gindi; Kirundi: Intaramuyi; Maasai: Olwargas, Oloibor riadi; Peulh: Jabare, Diaoure.
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 | Gazella d. ruficollis |
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Former distribution: Sahara region from Senegal to the Sudan.
Present distribution: South-western Rio de Oro in the Adrar Sutuf, western Sahara; southern Morocco in the Tarfaya Province; Senegal, eastern Chad, north-eastern Nigeria, northern and central Sudan.
Behaviour: Preferred habitat: stony desert and semi-desert regions, grass and bush steppes. Live singly or in small groups; active at twilight and by day. They migrate in the rainy season to the Sahara areas and return in the dry season.
Population status: Endangered. Estimated numbers: no records.
Brief notes:
Body weight: 50-85 kg
Head and body length: 150-175 cm
Tail length: 25-35 cm
Shoulder height: 90-120 cm
Gestation period: No records (probably as Grants Gazelle)
Maximum age: No records
Hunting methods: Formerly on horseback. Protected by law.
Subspecies: 5, acc. to RW’s (1986); 3 Afro-tropical region and 2 Palaearctic
1. Gazella d. dama From Senegal to north-eastern Nigeria. Endangered.
2. Gazella d. damergouensis Chad. Rare. Trophy: Record SCI: 41 178 score, 1963 Chad, FRANCO MAZZUCCHELLI; average 34 score. RW’s: 17", 1962 Chad, N. VORM; average 13 1/2". CIC: 102.85 points, Chad, F. EDMOND-BLANC; average 92 points.
3. Gazella d. ruficollis Southern and central Sudan. Rare.
Palaearctic
1. Gazella d. lozanoi Western Sahara. Endangered, if no extinct. Estimated numbers: About 50 (1968).
2. Gazella d. mhorr South-western Morocco. Endangered. Estimated numbers: No records.
Remarks: The catastrophic decline is due to extensive habitat destruction by natives and nomadic cattle as well as uncontrolled hunting with vehicles and modern firearms. The classification is not clear acc. to HALTEN-ORTH (1977); a revision is needed: only 5 subspecies are listed here.
Bilder:
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