Status of the Dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas) in the area south of Green Mountain, Libya in 2007: challenges and opportunities for the future

摘要

Threats to Dorcas gazelle were examined and the rate of decrease in population was estimatedudin the area south of the Green Mountain in North-East Libya. The results were collected fromudquestionnaires and focal interviews. All previous studies had reported significant decreased inudDorcas gazelle population throughout Libya during the last years of the twentieth century. Theudresults showed that Dorcas gazelle continues to exist but in very low numbers. The number ofudgroups of gazelle has decreased and the estimated rate of decline has increased to between 60udand 90 % in 2007. The decline has been noticeable with typical herd sizes of approximately 50ud– 100 gazelle being reported before 1970, 10 – 15 gazelle seen in the 1970s, 5 – 10 gazelle inudthe 1980s and from the 1990s onwards, group sizes of only 3 or fewer gazelles. Shared use ofudhabitat with domestic sheep and predators does not appear to be detrimental to Dorcas gazelle,udbut the main threat for this animal is humans, who lack awareness of its natural value. Someudrespondents believed that Dorcas gazelle had left their habitat and migrated to other safeudareas, but this study showed that the number of Dorcas gazelle was decreasing rapidly, mainlyudbecause of overhunting. Further research is needed into the current distribution and numbers ofudsurviving Dorcas gazelle. Aerial and ground surveys of areas of potential habitat should beudcarried out to establish the current status and distribution. There is an urgent need for theudimplementation of management programme to conserve the gazelle involving the participationudof local people.