Dama Gazelle

Meet the Dama Gazelle!

The dama gazelle is the largest of all gazelles, and also one of the rarest. Its indiscriminate hunting, as well as the destruction of its habitat, have endangered its existence. Today it is a protected animal that, thanks to the help of zoos and breeding programs, is being reintroduced into its natural habitat.

What are its habits?

Nomadic animal, in winter it migrates in herds of 15 to 20 individuals from the northern Sahara to the Sahel. They feed on acacia trees and bushes, rearing up on their hind legs.

These gazelles are social animals, although in the breeding season the males tend to become more territorial and fight among themselves. They mark their territory with dung and urine.

Gestation lasts about six months, after which they usually give birth to a single calf.

These gazelles move with great elegance, and when trotting or running they raise their front legs a lot.

Conservation

Extinct

Extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Near threatened

Least concern

Insufficient data

Not evaluated

DID YOU KNOW ...

In northwestern sub-Saharan African countries, the gazelle is known as “dangerlo”, meaning “swift deer”, although gazelles and deer are not part of the same family.