Work

Seasonal Activity Patterns of Captive Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica, Thomas, 1897) in Qatar

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Arabian sand gazelle (Gazella marica) is a native and highly adaptable species of the Arabian Peninsula. Due to drastic population declines the species is enlisted vulnerable globally. Very little is known about the behavioral ecology of this species in captivity, therefore this study was designed to investigate the seasonal variations in the activity patterns of Arabian sand gazelle at Al-Reem Biosphere Reserve, Qatar. Data was collected in two phases i.e. summer (in between September-October, 2021) and winter (in between December 2021–January 2022), for a total of 16 days. Results revealed that feeding and walking (p = 0.001) were the dominant activities in both seasons, yet higher in summer as compared to winter. Likewise standing, laying down and other activities (social interactions, defecating, maintenance, sexual behaviors) were also higher in summer as compared to winter. All these findings suggest that Arabian sand gazelles are adaptable to the harsh environments and confined facilities. However, we strongly recommend a round the year investigation on the impacts of humans, feed types and Arabian oryx on the behavioral activities of Arabian sand gazelles. In addition we suggest studying the behavior ecology of the wild scattered populations of Arabian sand gazelles for better management of captive breeding stocks.

Source: Animals

DOI: 10.3390/ani15060778

Authors: Nima Mahmood, Romaan Hayat Khattak, Muhammad Ali Nawaz

Institution: Qatar University

Language: English

Topic: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896