Three Dama gazelle in the wild 

IMAGE: Pixabay

Dama gazelle (Nanger dama) are critically endangered antelope species formerly found across the Sahel, that are now only known to exist in isolated population in Chad and Niger. The global estimates in the wild are 100-200 individuals.

They are an elegant, long-necked gazelle species with a striking coat pattern which changes across the species range. This coat pattern has been used to divide the species into different subspecies in the past, however genetic analysis conducted by the RZSS WildGenes lab has called this into question and dama gazelle are now considered to be a single species.

We been involved in planning of dama gazelle conservation since a workshop held at Edinburgh Zoo in 2013.  

The RZSS WildGenes team is currently in charge of conducting genetic analysis in support of a breeding and release programme that is taking place in the Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve in Chad.

Our Partners and Funders

Project type

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Conservation translocation

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Conservation planning

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Conservation genetics

The team

Helen Senn 2024

Dr Helen Senn

Head of conservation and science programmes

Jo Howard-McComb

Dr Jo Howard-McCombe

Research Scientist (RZSS WildGenes)

Dr Alex Ball

Dr Alex Ball

Conservation programme manager (RZSS WildGenes)

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