The present status, ecology and conservation of the Mongolian gazelle, <i>Procapra gutturosa</i> : a review

Spatial patterns in relative primary productivity and gazelle migration in the Eastern Steppes of Mongolia

“…Aggregations of zeer also occur during the winter (Lhagvasuren and Milner-Gulland, 1997;Wang et al, 1997;Jiang et al, 1998). These aggregations appear to be driven by a search for snow-free areas.…”

“…The declines in both numbers and range appear to be caused by overharvesting, poaching, and the overstocking of livestock (Lhagvasuren and Milner-Gulland, 1997;Jiang et al, 1998;Reading et al, 1998). The selection of optimal protected areas for zeer conservation is challenging because of the lack of basic data on habitat needs.…”

“…The zeer is especially noted for its annual migrations, during which herds ranging in size from 35,000 to 80,000 animals can be observed (Lhagvasuren and Milner-Gulland, 1997). Migrations of the gazelles do not follow a clear north/ south axis, but rather are characterized by herd movements between winter and calving grounds that are scattered throughout the steppes (Lushchekina et al, 1985;Jiang et al, 1998).…”

Habitat Fragmentation by Railways as a Barrier to Great Migrations of Ungulates in Mongolia

“…The rutting period is in winter, and females over 2 years old usually give birth to one calf in late June or early July (Lhagvasuren and Milner-Gulland 1997). The long-distance movements of this species for migration or nomadism were already understood before scientific tracking started (Jiang et al 1998;Lhagvasuren and Milner-Gulland 1997). Since then, analyses of gazelle movements in relation to habitat selection and environmental factors, including the presence of a railway, have brought many new findings on the ecology of this species and related conservation issues.…”

“…Until the 1930s, this species had a distribution that occupied most of the grasslands in northern China, Mongolia, and southern Russia, but since then its distribution has been reduced to the eastern half of Mongolia and to areas close to the border between Mongolia, China, and Russia ( Fig. 14.2; Jiang et al 1998;Lhagvasuren and Milner-Gulland 1997;Mallon 2008b). In the latest IUCN Red List, the Mongolian gazelle is ranked as least concern (LC) due to population estimates over the last 10 years ranging from 400,000 to 2,700,000 and because its range is expanding toward the northwest (Mallon 2008b).…”