Reintroduction of Arabian sand gazelle Gazella subgutturosa marica in Saudi Arabia
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Published source details
Haque M.N. & Smith T.R. (1996) Reintroduction of Arabian sand gazelle Gazella subgutturosa marica in Saudi Arabia. Biological Conservation, 76, 203-207.
Published source details Haque M.N. & Smith T.R. (1996) Reintroduction of Arabian sand gazelle Gazella subgutturosa marica in Saudi Arabia. Biological Conservation, 76, 203-207.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use holding pens at release site prior to release of captive-bred mammals Action Link |
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Use holding pens at release site prior to release of captive-bred mammals
A study in 1990–1994 in a desert reserve in southwest Saudi Arabia (Haque & Smith 1996) found that most captive-bred Arabian sand gazelles Gazella subgutturosa marica kept in holding pens prior to release survived for at least four years, the population bred successfully and nearly doubled in size. Of the 164 sand gazelles released, 155 (95%) survived for at least four years. A total of 108 births were recorded in the wild and the number of sand gazelles increased to approximately 300 individuals over four years. In 1990–1993, a total of 135 sand gazelles were moved from captive-breeding facilities to a fenced 2,200-km2 open desert steppe reserve. Before release, gazelles were kept in four 40 × 30-m quarantine enclosures for 2–3 months and then transferred to a 25-ha pre-release enclosure for 10–14 months. Twenty-five gazelle died within the enclosures before release. A total of 164 gazelle (98 translocated and 66 born in the enclosures) were released in five groups in 1991–1994. Radio-tagged individuals (number not reported) were monitored 1–2 times/week by ground telemetry and at least once each fortnight by air telemetry (dates not reported).
(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)
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