Seasonal Variations in Foods and Digestion of Mongolian Gazelles in China

Abstract

Data on feeding ecology of wild animals is essential for effective wildlife management and conservation. We studied the feeding ecology of the Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) in the Hulun Buir Grassland, Inner Mongolia, China. The Hulun Buir Grassland is characterized by food shortage due to long, cold winters. Concentration of crude protein in forage decreased from 18.2 to 29.6% during spring to 2.5 to 5.6% during the dormant season. The diets of the animals shifted seasonally: forb leaves and flowers made up 56.9% of their diet during spring, but graminoids increased during other seasons. Mongolian gazelles can digest fibrous food more efficiently during autumn and winter than during spring. These results suggest that the Mongolian gazelle is an intermediate feeder. To provide high-quality and abundant forage in Mongolian gazelle habitat, the grazing of livestock should be reduced. It is necessary to maintain grasslands at moderate or light grazing for Mongolian gazelle management.