In the past, the attractive Soemmerring's gazelles used to gather in their hundreds as they undertook seasonal migrations (2). Today, this magnificent sight is rare, as the gazelle is seldom seen in herds composed of more than 15 individuals. These are often herds of females and their young, accompanied by a single adult male on his territory. The territorial male marks his range with dung, and should another male venture onto his land, aggressive confrontations may ensue (2). Such encounters involve scraping their horns on the ground (3), head-flicking, and yanking their opponent's horns sideways in an attempt to destabilise their rival (2). Mating in Soemmerring's gazelle peaks between September and November (2). After a gestation of around 198 days, the female gives birth to a single calf that lies well hidden in grass until it is strong enough to keep up with its mother (3). This usually takes about a month (2), during which time the mother returns to her calf only to nurse it (3). By the age of six months the calves are weaned, and by just 18 months the gazelle is sexually mature and capable of reproducing. Soemmerring's gazelles live for up to 14 years (2). Soemmerring's gazelles feed primarily on grasses (5); their narrow muzzle and mobile lips enable them to carefully select the best quality grass (3). The main predators of Soemmerring's gazelle include cheetahs, lions, leopards, Cape hunting dogs, hyenas and even pythons (3).

Soemmerring's Gazelle has a tawny-red coat, an extensive white patch on the rump and prominent facial markings - dark stripes run down the nose and from the corners of the eyes to the nose. Both sexes have lyre-shaped horns that point inwards at the tip but those of males are larger.

These large, pale gazelles once gathered in their hundreds on the open plains of the Horn of Africa (2). Soemmerring's gazelles bear short, heavy, lyre-shaped horns that sweep backwards and point inwards at the tip. The large head is also distinctive due to the prominent facial markings (2); dark stripes run down the nose and from the corners of the eyes to the nose, separated with white stripes (3). Soemmerring's gazelle has a tawny-red coat on its back, with an extensive white patch on the rump. Its undersides are bright white, as are its long legs, ending in large hooves (2) (3). The short, tapered tail is mainly white but ends in a black tuft (2) (3). Three subspecies of Sommerring's gazelles are recognised, each distinguishable by aspects of their appearance. Gazella soemmerringii soemmerringii has a brown face and shorter horns; the face of G. s. berberana is blacker and it bears longer horns, and G. s. butteri has darker flanks and stripes on its thighs (2).

Formerly widely distributed throughout most of Djibouti, northern Somalia and the central coastal plain; north-east and central Sudan; lowland areas of Eritrea, the Ogaden and other lowland areas of eastern Ethiopia (Schloeder and Jacobs in press). At one time, this gazelle may have occasionally ventured as far south as extreme north-east Kenya (East 1999) but there is no recent information on its occurrence in this area. The population on Dahlak Kebir Island was probably introduced over 100 years ago (Yalden et al. 1996).

Uncontrolled hunting and habitat destruction have most probably eliminated this species from its historic range in Sudan (East 1999). It still occupies substantial parts of its historical range in Djibouti, Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, but at lower densities and as isolated populations; numbers in the Ogaden are greatly reduced due to uncontrolled hunting (Wilhelmi et al. 2006).

Endemic to the Horn of Africa (2), Soemmerring's gazelle occurs in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan (1). G. s. soemmerringii occurs primarily in Sudan, G. s. berberana is found in Somalia and G. s. butteri primarily inhabits southern Ethiopia (2).

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Endemic to the Horn of Africa Soemmerring's Gazelle occurs in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan. This species favors rough, hilly country and semi-arid grasslands, often with scattered Acacia trees and bushes.

Soemmerring's gazelle inhabits rough, hilly country and semi-arid grasslands, often with scattered Acacia trees and bushes (2) (4).

Prey: predators include cheetahs, lions, leopards, hunting dogs, hyenas and pythons

Soemmerring's Gazelles feed primarily on grasses; their narrow muzzle and mobile lips enable them to be selective in their choice of high-quality grasses. Predators of Soemmerring's Gazelle include cheetahs, lions, leopards, hunting dogs, hyenas and even pythons.

Historically, Soemmerring's Gazelles gathered in herds of many hundreds during seasonal migrations. Today, this gazelle is seldom seen in groups composed of more than 15 individuals. Territorial adult males establish territories, and associate with visiting groups of females and young.

Maximum longevity: 15.5 years (captivity)

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Justification

History

• 2007
  Vulnerable
• 1996
  Vulnerable
• 1996
  Vulnerable
• 1994
  Vulnerable
  (Groombridge 1994)
• 1990
  Vulnerable
  (IUCN 1990)
• 1988
  Vulnerable
  (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
• 1986
  Vulnerable
  (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)

IUCN Status: VULNERABLE

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Soemmerring’s Gazelle is threatened by destruction of habitat by livestock overgrazing and agricultural development, but hunting may have also played a significant role. This species has been exterminated from much of its historical range, and remaining populations are fragmented.

Assessed as Vulnerable to extinction by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) (1), the Soemmerring's gazelle has experienced a serious decline in numbers (6). It has now been exterminated from many parts of its historical range, and remaining populations exist in small pockets (2). While overgrazing by domestic livestock and agricultural development, which reduces the Soemmerring's gazelle's food supply, is believed to be the main cause of this decline, hunting may have also played a significant role (2) (6), as for a long time gazelles have been hunted by people for food (6).

Conservation Actions

The largest population of Soemmerring's gazelle occurs in Awash National Park in Ethiopia (7). However, even within this protected area, seasonal cattle grazing occurs which may impact the gazelle's food supply (8). There are no specific conservation measures known to be in place for this vulnerable gazelle at present.