| Saudi Gazelle | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Subfamily: | Antilopinae |
| Genus: | Gazella |
| Species: | G. saudiya |
| Binomial name | |
| Gazella saudiya Carruthers & Schwarz, 1935 |
|
The Saudi Gazelle, Gazella saudiya, is an extinct species of gazelle that was once found in the Arabian peninsula. It is extinct due to hunting by humans of its native lands.[1]. It was declared to be extinct in 2008, but it is likely to have disappeared before that.
The Saudi Gazelle once lived in gravel and sandy plains with acacias of the northern and Western Arabian peninsula from Kuwait to Yemen, with most of the records coming from western Saudi Arabia. It was found singly or in groups up to 20.[1]
The Saudi Gazelle was formerly seen as a subspecies of the Dorcas Gazelle, which is why its decline and extinction received so little attention from conservationists. Recent genetic studies proved its position as a separate species. Apart from genetic differences, the Saudi gazelle also had shorter legs than the Dorcas Gazelle and was lighter in color.[2]
The species was always rare and declining due to excessive hunting. The species has not been seen for a few decades, and was declared to be Extinct in the Wild in 1980. Recent genetic analysis of all reported specimens of G. saudiya in captive collections has shown that these represent different species or hybrids.[1][3] There are frequent surveys attempting to find pure Saudi gazelles in privately owned gazelles and in the wild, but there have been no evidence of surviving individuals. The Saudi Gazelle was officially declared Extinct by the IUCN in 2008.