Cuvier's gazelle
(Gazella cuvieri)
Coordinator: Eulalia Moreno
Institution: Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA) - CSIC
IUCN Red List status
Programme roles
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• Restoration The EAZA population of Cuvier’s gazelle is the only managed population globally and has provided individuals for restoring populations in Tunisia. It will remain available to continue with this role as part of the Convention of Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Sahelo-Saharan Antelopes Action Plan. • Insurance The EAZA population of Cuvier’s gazelle will continue to be the only managed insurance population for this species. Low genetic diversity and small founder numbers presents a challenge for managing the population for insurance in the long term. However, evidence of slow purging has been detected in this initially bottlenecked population, which is essential to evaluate the fitness of the ex situ population as well as its conservation impact in reintroductions. Specific attention will be paid to research that improves management such as ongoing genetic research on how best to preserve genetic diversity, deal with inbreeding in small populations, and influence sex of offspring. • Research The programme will continue to support research focusing on small populations and their resilience against inbreeding depression. The research is both beneficial for the EAZA population and ex situ populations for other species across the world. • Capacity building The programme is contributing to establishing training programmes for husbandry and management to support Cuvier’s gazelle ex situ management efforts in North African countries (e.g. Tunisia). |
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• Conservation education (in EAZA institutions) The Cuvier’s gazelle is an ambassador for the Sahara region and a good example of successful ex situ conservation linked to in situ populations. The programme will develop guidance and/or education material to help convey these messages. |
Programme numbers
In April 2022, the Cuvier's gazelle EEP had 82 animals in 5 institutions.
Programme highlights
- In Zooquaria 116 (Winter 2022) there is an article about the Antelope and Giraffid RCP.