Mongolian Gazelle Conservation

During wildlife surveys beginning in 1989, Dr. George Schaller and Mongolian collaborators found that Mongolian gazelles (Procapra gutturosa) were present in vast numbers on the Eastern Steppe. Since 1999 Kirk Olson has led WCS’s efforts to learn about the ecological factors behind gazelle movements, estimate their numbers, and learn how they are valued by the people they share the steppe with. Results indicate that gazelles move across the steppe in search of suitable forage in a nomadic manner rather than in a predictable, migratory pattern. This finding presents profound challenges to the effective conservation of Mongolian gazelles, since they will require solutions that fall outside of the established conservation paradigms.

The Human Aspect
Mongolian gazelles are a much more important resource for rural families than previously estimated, and are the most commonly hunted animal on the steppe. Approximately 60% of herder households hunt an average of 8 gazelles per year (~100,000 per year). More intensive illegal hunting by human residents from population centers is taking its toll, and there is anecdotal evidence that the overall level of hunting is not sustainable.

Threats
Ÿ Barriers to gazelle movement such as fences and pipelines, and increases in human population density
Ÿ Over hunting
Ÿ Overgrazing and competition with livestock due to increases in livestock numbers
Ÿ Changing land use patterns: more sedentary pastoralists, well drilling, and changes in land tenure practices.
Ÿ Timing and frequency of human-induced fire
Ÿ Persecution due to a poor understanding of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) transmission between livestock and gazelles

WCS Activities
Surveys: A survey was conducted of 80% of the Eastern Steppe region (~50% of the total gazelle range). Densities varied regionally between 3 and 11 gazelles/sq. km. The overall population was estimated at over one million Mongolian gazelles.

Population Genetics: Analysis of micro satellite loci revealed very high genetic diversity with no distinction between geographical regions. This confirms our conclusion that Mongolian gazelles exhibit nomadic movements and consist of one large panmictic population.

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Study: Blood samples are collected periodically from domestic livestock and gazelle calves to study the prevalence of FMD.

Conservation and Management: A Mongolian gazelle management and action plan has been completed for Mongolia and is being implemented.

Important Next Steps
WCS’s efforts to understand the complex relationship between highly variable forage conditions, insect harassment, and interactions between Mongolian gazelle, livestock and herders continues.  Important next steps include:
v Developing demographic maps for identifying regions where human and livestock densities cause competition and avoidance by gazelle.
v Studying how certain factors impact gazelle movement, and the degree of change in those factors that elicits gazelle movement among seasonal ranges.
v Conducting surveys to assess the winter distribution of gazelle and to understand the effects of varying snow depth and forage biomass on gazelle distribution.
v Implementing the Mongolian gazelle management and action plan.

The integration of research and education to foster effective conservation strategies will ensure the survival of one of the world’s greatest wildlife spectacles, the Mongolian gazelle.

Funding is provided by WCS and USAID. This represents combined efforts by the Wildlife Conservation Society, National University of Mongolia, Smithsonian Institute, University of Massachusetts, University of Maryland, University of Idaho, Dornod Health and Veterinary Laboratory, National Health and Veterinary Laboratory, and Mongolian Academy of Sciences.