Endemic to the Ogaden region of SE Ethiopia and adjoining areas of N and C Somalia.

In Ethiopia, dibatag formerly occurred widely in the vast plains of the Ogaden region in the eastern lowlands. An extensive ground survey revealed that the dibatag is now rare or absent in the northern Ogaden but still occurs locally within a reasonably large area in the southern Ogaden, where it appears to be quite common in some localities (Wilhelmi 1997). In contrast to the northern Ogaden, which has a relatively high density of settlements and concentrations of armed pastoralists and their herds, the southern Ogaden has lower human densities and extensive areas where the natural flora and fauna appear to be largely intact.

It once occurred widely in central Somalia and on the Haud Plateau. By the early 1980s it had disappeared from large parts of its former range but still occurred locally in reasonable numbers in parts of the central coastal hinterland. Local people indicated that it was still present in this region in the late 1980s, but no more recent information is available. This area has been affected by 20 years of civil and military conflict as well as drought and overgrazing and its status is widely considered to have deteriorated, along with that of other antelope species such as Nanger soemmerringii and Oryx beisa that are easier to monitor (Wilhelmi et al. 2006).

Ammodorcas clarkei, the dibatag or Clarke’s gazelle, is found in the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia and adjacent parts of northern and central Somalia. This species is found mostly in the arid southeastern lowlands in Ethiopia, and local concentrations occur in the coastal hinterland of central Somalia. (Yalden et al., 1984)

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )

Historic Range:
Somalia, Ethiopia

Body length of A. clarkei ranges from 152-168 cm, with a tail length of 25 to 35 cm. Shoulder height varies from 80-88 cm and weight ranges from 22 to 35 kg. The the upper-parts of these gazelles are a grayish-fawn, and the rump and undersides are white. Markings on the face consist of a white stripe running from above the eye to the muzzle. There is a line of chestnut across the nose. The body is thin, and the legs and neck are quite long and thin. The rufous coat blends well with the surroundings making Dibatag difficult to see in thick cover. A noted characteristic is the long, furred black tail that is 25-35 cm long. The curving horns are only found on males and are from 10 to 25 cm long. Dibatags also have small hooves and a flat-shaped skull. (Carter and Mochi, 1971)

Range mass: 22 to 35 kg.

Range length: 152 to 168 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Preferred habitat of dibatags consists of sandy areas with scattered thorn scrub and grasses to arid, low-lying, scrub-covered plains. (Diller and Haltenorth, 1980)

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: scrub forest

The diet of A. clarkei consists of leaves and shoots from bushes and trees. The long necks of dibatags allows them to reach high branches. These animals may also stand on their hind legs with fore feet on the tree to browse. Dibatags may persist with little or no open water present. (Diller and Haltenorth, 1980)

Plant Foods: leaves

Primary Diet: herbivore (Folivore )

A. clarkei plays an important role as a prey species for charismatic megafauna.

If a dibatag senses danger, it hides itself behind vegetation, standing still and using its long neck to look over the vegetation to assess the danger. These animals remain motionless until discovered. If being pursued, dibatags will flee with their heads arched back, and use an ambling gait instead of a gallop. Common predators of these animals include cheetahs, lions, hyenas, african hunting dogs, and humans (Diller and Haltenorth, 1980)

Known Predators:

• cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)
• lions (Panthera leo)
• hyenas (Hyaeninae)
• African hunting dogs (Lycaon pictus)
• humans (Homo sapiens)
• striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena)
• spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta)

Ammodorcas clarkei is prey of:
Homo sapiens
Panthera leo
Acinonyx jubatus
Lycaon pictus
Crocuta crocuta
Hyaena hyaena

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

No information is available on the development of this species.

The lifespan of a dibatag ranges from 10 to12 years. (Diller and Haltenorth, 1980)

Typical lifespan

Status: wild: 10 to 12 years.

Observations: There is little or no data regarding the longevity of these animals, but they appear to live up to 12 years in the wild.

Information on mating system is not available for this species. In other similarly sized bovid species (e.g. Antilope cervicapra, and Litocranius walleri) males establish and defend territories, at least during the breeding season, and are polygynous. It is likely A. clarkei maintains territories by marking them with urination, defecation, and preornital gland secretions. (Walther et al., 1983)

Females only give birth to one young during the year. Births occur in October and November. The gestation period is 204 days. (Ditrich, 1972). Sexual maturity is reached at 12 to 18 months.

Breeding season: Births occur in October and November.

Range number of offspring: 1 (low) .

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average gestation period: 6.8 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 12 to 18 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 12 to 18 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); viviparous

Average gestation period: 204 days.

Average number of offspring: 1.

As in all mammals, the female provides nourishment for the young through lactation. Young are precocial. Other information on parental care in this species is not available.

Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care

Year Assessed

Assessor/s

Reviewer/s

Justification

History

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

Dibatags have been declared endangered in Somalia since 1996. Populations in Somalia are declining due to poaching, habitat degradation caused by drought, and competition with livestock for grazing land. The populations seem to be stable in Ethiopia where they are legally protected from hunting. (Nowak, 1983)

US Federal List: endangered

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: vulnerable

Current Listing Status Summary

Status: Endangered
Date Listed: 06/02/1970
Lead Region: Foreign (Region 10) 
Where Listed:


Population detail:

Population location: entire
Listing status: E

For most current information and documents related to the conservation status and management of Ammodorcas clarkei , see its USFWS Species Profile

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Conservation Actions

This species competes with livestock for grazing. (Nowak, 1983)

Dibatags are hunted by local peoples, and thereby provide food and hides . (Diller and Haltenorth, 1980)

Positive Impacts: food ; body parts are source of valuable material