HABITAT SELECTION BY EXOTIC DAMA GAZELLES (NANGER DAMA RUFICOLLIS) IN TEXAS

Abstract

Habitat selection information is important for both breeding on Texas ranches and repatriation in Africa. This is especially true for the critically endangered dama gazelle (Nanger dama). Exotic dama gazelles of the eastern subspecies (N. dama ruficollis) wearing GPS-radio collars were tracked for one year on two Texas ranches. Three adult and two subadult males were collared from a large (8,996 ha) pasture in west Texas. Next, collars went on all males plus all females released into a 202 ha Edwards Plateau pasture (seven adult females, one maturing male, and one to three adult males). On both sites, the gazelles favored the less steep terrain of the Ector soil series. Adult male core areas averaged 440 ha in west Texas (vegetation sparse) and 57 ha on the Edwards Plateau (dense food stands). These relationships allowed for estimation of the number of adult males that could be stocked in the larger pasture while still allowing room for the males to spread out. No special affinity for water sources was found, although dama gazelles do drink during hot weather when water is available. There was no consistent seasonal distributional change noted. On both Texas sites, the gazelles survive on natural browse. Where there are feeders, competition from larger animals kept gazelles out. For breeding or restoring populations, flat-to-gently rolling terrain with ample browse is best. Shade and water are important, and any supplemental feed requires access. There also needs to be enough favored habitat to accommodate the adult males without dangerous conflict.