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Size Shoulder height 60 cm.
Weight 15 –>20 kg.
Habitat and Behaviour The Dorcas Gazelle shows a preference for
desert and semi-desert plains, extending onto sandy areas. It occurs
across much of the Sahara and its fringes, but is absent from the
coastal plains except along the Red Sea. Like most desert antelopes,
Dorcas Gazelle are mixed feeders, taking grasses, shrubs and browse.
They are usually seen in herds of 20 or more, but larger groups may be
encountered moving to areas with new plant growth. In areas of true
desert, herds are smaller and pairs and solitary animals are frequently
encountered. Non-territorial rams often form into bachelor groups.
Usually a single lamb weighing 1.5 kg is born after about a 164-day
gestation.
Distribution and Status This gazelle is present in all North African
countries – including those in the Sahel zone from Mauritania to
Sudan – and extends into the Egyptian Sinai and Israel and Palestine.
Numbers have been greatly reduced by hunting. It is estimated that
more than 10,000 animals survive across its vast range.
Conservation Areas Souss-Massa NP (Morocco); Tassili NP, Ahaggar
NP (Algeria); Bou Hedma NP, Sidi Toui NP, Djebil Chambi NP (Tunisia);
New Hisha NR, El Kouf NP (Libya); Aïr and Tenere NR (Niger); Ouadi
Rime-Ouadi Achim FR (Chad); Mezukai Hazinim NR, Har Hanegev NR,
Hanahalim Hagdolim NR, Masiv Elat NR (Israel).