Przewalski's gazelle Procapra przewalskii is a flagship species and a Category I National Protected Wild Animal Species in China, has a restricted distribution and is endemic to the Qinghai Lake region. In the 1990s, there were < 300 individuals (Jiang et al., 2000, Oryx, 34, 129–135), but the wild population has gradually recovered (Li et al., 2012, Oryx, 46, 145–153) through the timely implementation of rescue projects. In 2008, Przewalski's gazelle was recategorized from Critically Endangered to Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and in May 2022, according to the Qinghai Forestry and Grassland Bureau, the total population exceeded 2,800 mature individuals.
In August 2020, January and August 2021, and January 2022, we conducted a survey of the conservation status of and potential threats to the gazelle, supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Programme (Grant No. 2019QZKK0501). We found, as reported by the government, that the gazelle population is recovering and that poaching, one of the main causes of the earlier declines, is practically non-existent. However, habitat fragmentation is still severe and new problems are emerging, arising from human activities and environmental change. A railway, highway and grassland paddock fencing are the main causes of habitat fragmentation, and the fences also impair the gazelles’ ability to evade predators. Competition with livestock is known to result in seasonal food shortage (Li et al., 2008, The Journal of Wildlife Management, 72, 944–948), and this problem has not been effectively alleviated. Pathogens and diseases from livestock also pose a potential threat to the gazelle, and plastic waste generated by herdsmen could result in indigestion, poor health and even death if eaten by gazelles. In addition to human activities, in dry winters water scarcity is also a potential threat. The population growth of Przewalski's gazelle varies greatly among habitat patches and some populations are still at risk of decline.
To improve habitat for Przewalski's gazelle, restore landscape connectivity and promote gene exchange between subpopulations, the ubiquitous fences need to be partly dismantled, drinking water points established, rubbish sorting and collection stations provided, and habitat corridors developed. In the short term, supplementary forage should be provided in winter, but to avoid any dependence of the gazelle there needs to be a reduction of domestic animals in its habitat. Disease prevention and surveillance of livestock should also be carried out in the gazelle's range. In view of the variation in numbers between isolated populations, the genetic diversity of Przewalski's gazelle needs to be assessed, to guide the establishment of priority conservation areas and to avoid gene loss. Herdsmen, as key stakeholders, need to be involved in the development and implementation of any programme to protect the gazelle.
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