Endangered Species – Mammals – Part Three

Dama Gazelle (Nanger dama)        

Status: Critically endangered (IUCN)

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The Dama gazelle is a graceful antelope that is found in the Sahara desert regions of Africa. Once populous in Libya and Morocco, the dama gazelle is now virtually extinct in northern Africa.  It currently ranges across central and western African countries of Mali, Chad, and Niger.  Although protected areas exist in the species’ range, such as the Ouadi Rime–Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve in Chad and the Aïr and Ténère National Nature Reserve in Niger, they afford the animal little security primarily because of civil unrest in these countries.  Poaching and habitat destruction have also greatly diminished their numbers.  Much effort is needed in the conservation of the Dama gazelle.

Przewalski’s Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii)

Status: Critically endangered (IUCN), Endangered (ESA)

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Considered the only remaining truly wild horse in the world, the Przewalski’s horse is native to the steppes of central Asia, specifically China and Mongolia. Its population drastically declined in the early 20th century mainly due to hunting and competition with domestic horses for food and water.  Since 1966 when the Przewalski horse was last sighted in the wild, the ongoing efforts to preserve the species have become a great success story.  In 1992, 16 horses bred in captivity were reintroduced to the wilderness at Hustai National Park in Mongolia.  By the early 2000s, more than a hundred Przewalski’s horses roamed freely in the park, and appeared to be doing better each year they spend in the wild.