An attempt to restore the population of the Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in its indigenous range in the Caucasus (Mammalia: Bovidae)

Abstract

Since the 1930s, the range and numbers of the Goitered Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa declined rapidly in the Caucasus and fell to a critical size in the 1960s when the species became extinct in Georgia and in most parts of the species range in Azerbaijan. After the establishment of target protected areas in Azerbaijan, the number of gazelles significantly increased, but the population is mostly concentrated in the isolated Shirvan protected areas on the Caspian Sea coast, which currently holds more than 10% of the global Goitered Gazelle population. Using Shirvan as a source population, regular reintroduction activities started in the early 2010s: Azerbaijan-Georgia transboundary area became the priority for the last decade. In total 174 individuals have been translocated and released directly after transportation (hard release) in two sites. At first, growth of the reintroduced population was slow, but now, 7–9 years after the translocation started a clear increase of the population size has been recorded. Today, the total population of the two groups is around 312 individuals (including juveniles). It is expected that with further growth the groups will unify and create a stable, new, trans-boundary gazelle population.