The status and ecology of the dama gazelle in the aïr and ténéré national nature reserve, Niger

As part of the biological survey of the recently proposed Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve in Niger, information was gathered on the status and ecology of the dama gazelle Gazella dama. The population of the reserve was estimated at 150-250. Dama gazelle were most often in small harems or mixed groups, or singly. Average group size was 1·92±1·20. Dama gazelles were primarily browsers, with the leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca and Acacia tortilis forming the bulk of their diet. They were most often observed in temporary watercourses. The primary threats to dama gazelle in the reserve were hunting and habitat degradation, and conservation measures are proposed. © 1986.