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Distribution and Status The Mountain Gazelle occurs in the UAE,
where only the Jebel Ali sand desert holds a substantial population,
with populations scattered along the coastline of Oman. Yemen
and western Saudi Arabia populations have been hugely reduced
by hunting. The largest populations are located in Oman, Israel and
Palestine.
Conservation Areas Ibex Reserve, Uruq Bani Ma’arid PA, Jebel al-Rar,
Majami al-Hadb PA (Saudi Arabia); Wadi Sareen Tahr R, Yaluni AOS
(Oman); Wadi Mujib WR, Wadi Dana-Finan WR (Jordan); Ya’ar Yehudia
NR, Mezukai Herev NR, En Gedi NR (Israel).
SAND GAZELLE Gazella subgutturosa
Identification This fairly stocky gazelle is also known as the Rheem,
or Rhim, in Arabia, and the Goitered Gazelle in its eastern range,
including Iran. It is light fawn-brown above and white below, as well as
on the rump and face. Animals in some populations are very pale and
may look almost white from a distance. The gazelle has a distinctive
short black tail, which is held erect when running. The ears are
noticeably long and pointed. The horns are fairly long (34 cm), lyrate,
strongly ringed and very close together at the bases; those of ewes in
western populations (G. s. marica) are more slender. Ewes in eastern
populations (G. s. subgutturosa) either do not carry horns, or have
very short horns. A swelling on the upper throat, resembling a goitre,
gives these animals their scientific name, and the common name of
eastern populations. The eastern subspecies averages larger than that
in the west.