Gazella bennettii — Details

Indian Gazelle learn more about names for this taxon

Overview

Distribution

Range Description

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Range covers much of western and central India, extending through Pakistan, south-western Afghanistan into north-central Iran. The Thar Desert of western India remains a stronghold. Distribution in Pakistan has been greatly reduced by overhunting and although still widespread, populations are scattered (Habibi 2001b). In Iran, distribution is also scattered extending to Kavir NP in Tehran Province (Hemami and Groves 2001).
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Ecology

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

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Habitat and Ecology
Inhabits arid areas, including sand deserts, flat plains and hills, dry scrub and light forest. Ranges to 1,500 m in Pakistan (Habibi 2001b). They are facultative drinkers, and so can live in very arid areas. They sometimes raid fields cultivated with rape seed and sorghum in desert regions (Habibi 2001b).

Systems
  • Terrestrial
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Life History and Behavior

Life Expectancy

Lifespan, longevity, and ageing

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Observations: Little is known about the longevity of these animals, but one captive specimen lived 12.3 years (Richard Weigl 2005).
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Conservation

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

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Red List Category
LC
Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version
3.1

Year Assessed
2008

Assessor/s
Mallon, D.P.

Reviewer/s
Rahmani, A.R. & Mallon, D.P. (Antelope Red List Authority)

Justification
Although populations in Pakistan and Iran have been greatly reduced by over hunting, the Indian population was estimated at certainly >100,000 and stable by Rahmani (2001).

History
  • 2003
    Least Concern
    (IUCN 2003)
  • 1996
    Lower Risk/conservation dependent
  • 1994
    Vulnerable
    (Groombridge 1994)
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Population

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Population
Numbers in India have been estimated at more than 100,000 with 80,000 in the Tahr Desert (Rahmani 2001). Numbers in Pakistan have declined due to overhunting, but no current estimate is available (Habibi 2001b). Current status in Afghanistan is unknown but they are also believed to be very rare (Habibi 2001a). Around 1300 were estimated for Iran (Hemami and Groves 2001).

Population Trend
Stable
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Threats

Threats

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Major Threats
Indiscriminate hunting has adversely affected gazelles in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan (hunted for meat and to a lesser degree for trophies). Habitat loss through overgrazing, conversion to agriculture and industrial development is also a factor.
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Management

Conservation Actions

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Conservation Actions
Occur in more than 80 protected areas in India, 5 in Pakistan and 9 in Iran. In parts of western India Chinkara are protected by villagers for religious reasons. The species is fully protected by law in India, Pakistan and Iran.
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Wikipedia

Chinkara

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This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2009)

The chinkara, or Indian gazelle, (Gazella bennettii) is a species of gazelle found in south Asia.

Contents

Habitat and Distribution

It lives in grasslands and desert areas in India, Bangladesh and parts of Iran and Pakistan. It is also known as the Indian Gazelle (Gazella gazella bennetti).

G. b. fuscifrons of Baluchistan

Appearance

This gazelle stands at 65 centimetres and weighs about 23 kilograms. Its summer coat is a reddish-buff colour, with smooth, glossy fur. In winter the white belly and throat fur is in greater contrast. The sides of the face have dark chestnut stripes from the corner of the eye to the muzzle, bordered by white stripes. The horns reach over 39 centimetres.[1]

Behaviour

It is a shy animal and avoids human habitation. It can go without water for long periods and can get sufficient fluids from plants and dew. Although most individuals are seen alone, they can sometimes be spotted in groups of up to four animals.


Relationship with Other Species

Predators

It is preyed upon by leopards and dholes, and was a common prey item of the Asiatic Cheetah.

Other Herbivores

It shares its habitat with several other herbivores, such as nilgai, chital deer, wild goats, and wild boar.

Relationship with Humans

Certain researchers[who?] consider the decline in the chinkara population as the reason behind the extinction of the Asiatic Cheetah in India. Its population is on the decline due to it being hunted for game. The Bishnoi community traditionally protect wildlife in the state of Rajasthan. In a famous case an Indian film star Salman Khan was sentenced to a 5 year prison sentence for shooting chinkara and blackbuck living under their protection. Saif Ali Khan faced similar allegations.

References

  1. ^ Prater, S. H. 1971 The Book of Indian Animals. Oxford University Press, 2005 reprint.


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