Pictures and facts about the Mongolian gazelle

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Mongolian gazelle

Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Bovidae
Subfamily : Antilopinae
Species : Procapra gutturosa

Measuring around 1m to 1.5m, with a weight of 20 to 40kgs, the Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) could be recognized from its buff covering, which is paler during the winter season. The males are the only ones who hold the lyre-formed horns, and these horns curl backward and go parallel to its back, and these horns grow about .40cm.

Longevity is expected to be seven years, and talking about their mating, it occur s from November all the way to January. Newborns lie quite hidden from the world, that is, for the initial days. After about four days to a week, they would joini ng the parents.

During winter/autumn days, a Mongolian gazelle is active in the daytime, they gra ze during mornings and even afternoons. Mongolian gazelles are very fast, they co uld run all the way to 39 kilometers/hour, they could hold this clip at 12,000 meters...impressive isn't it? That is not all, they could jumpo up to two meters into air. Still, not only that, a Mongolian gazelle is a strong swimmer and could traverse big rivers...and as such, these gazelles are capable of doing big-scale migrations. A herd of 6,000 to 8,000 (both genders) congregate during the spring, and they could cover at least 200km in one day, and even while not migrating, a Mongolian gazelle could move above 20 kilometers in a day's time.

What do they eat: herbs and grasses principally. Who eats them: principally, the wolves. At the moment, they do not fall under the endangered kind, but they are g oing there, from all indications. Time will only tell if in the immediate future, they would be endangered, or if they would prevail (I can make a good guess, and it would coincide with yours).

Picture of the Monoglian gazelle by Alessio Marrucci, licensed under GFDL

Facts about the Mongolian gazelle

"The Mongolian Gazelle is one of the last large migratory ungulates, living on Mongolia`s Eastern Steppes, one of the world`s largest intact grasslands," Professor Grigg said.

The endangered Mongolian gazelle is a national class-2 protected species in China, although environmentalists suspect it still falls prey to illegal hunting and poaching. (Full text)

Hoofed animals: Procapra gutturosa is the representative in this group, its distribution ambit is consonant with steppe. (Full text)

### Note to Editors：The Mongolian Gazelle, Procapra gutturosa is widely distributed in Northern China, northeastern China, Mongolia Republic and some fragments in Russia and is also found to inhabit other middle Asian semi-dessert and upland areas. (Full text)

However, in contrast to horse, dog, pig and many primate species also possessing such a paired ventricle, its rostral opening in the Mongolian gazelle is situated lateral to the corniculate process of the arytenoid cartilage. (Full text)

(For more, please read The Mongol Messenger's issue No44) Treasured Gazelle The Mongolian gazelle is a treasure to Mongolia and the world," (Full text)

Mongolian gazelles are speedy, galloping up to 39 miles per hour (65 km per hour) and sustaining this speed for 7 to 9 miles (12-15 km). (Full text)

Conservation Status The Mongolian gazelle is a low risk, near threatened species (IUCN, 1996). (Full text)

Although Mongolian gazelles are the most numerous of any large mammal in Asia, the future of these animals is uncertain. (Full text)

The large-scale migration of Mongolian Gazelle is one of the great wildlife phenomena left only in Mongolia and few other countries in the world. (Full text)