Al Ain Zoo launches a breeding program for 80 African dama gazelle as part of its 2028 strategy As part of its efforts to protect the African dama gazelle—listed in the IUCN Red as critically endangered—Al Ain Zoo is managing a controlled breeding program for the two subspecies of the dama gazelle, addra and mhorr gazelles. The total number of the dama exceeds 80 gazelles in its collection. The dama gazelle is facing a high risk of extinction as the number of dama in the wild is around 100 individuals. Al Ain Zoo is the only zoo around the world that holds the two subspecies of the dama gazelle, addra and mhorr. This has prioritized Al Al Zoo conservation efforts of the dama gazelle. Through a collaboration with specialists and range state from Africa, Al Ain Zoo successfully contributed to developing the Dama Gazelle Conservation Strategy, 2019–2028.
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This new strategy focuses on updating the most important information related to dama gazelles in terms of their numbers and locations in the wild and emphasizes the actions and procedures to be followed to reduce the chances of extinction. The Strategy also is examining opportunities for releasing the dama back to the wild and reviewing the potential sites for reintroduction programs. The strategy also presents the results of the genetic studies and potential genetic challenges for inter-breeding gazelle in the wild and captive animals. The program also studies the training and specialized technical courses needed by all concerned in the field of research, translocation, and sample collection. The dama gazelle has disappeared from more than 99% of its former range due to uncontrolled hunting habitat loss and overgrazing. As a result of this significant decline, the global efforts by concerned authorities and institutions have come together to save the dama gazelle from extinction.
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