Changes in State of Mongolian Gazelle (Procarpa gutturosa Pallas 1777) Population of Eastern Mongolia: Long-Term Data Analysis

摘要

The study of the current ecology of Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa Pallas, 1777), a typical inhabitant of steppe ecosystems of Eastern Mongolia, and a comparison of the obtained data with previously collected data are required to improve the Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan for the Daurian Steppe eco-region, which was included into the list of the 200 most important regions in the world by the World Wide Fund for Nature. A comparative analysis of long-term data collected by authors in Eastern Mongolia shows significant changes in the Mongolian gazelle distribution and probably a significant decrease in its population, which occurred over the last 20-25 years. The intensive development of mineral resources, the construction of new roads across migration paths, and frequent epizootics represent additional threats to the stability of the Mongolian gazelle population. To prevent this species from being moved to the critically-endan-gered-species category of the IUCN Red List, it is necessary to develop and implement a special international program for protecting Mongolian gazelle.