Abstract

Some aspects of population structure (group size, group composition, sex ratio, female/juvenile ratio) of the Farasan gazelle Gazella gazella farasani were studied on the Farasan Islands, Saudi Arabia. The overall mean group size has remained consistent since 1988, indicating a stable population. G. g. farasani are mainly observed as single animals with females usually being solitary or in female groups. The largest group of gazelles comprised eight individuals in a mixed herd. The male/female sex ratio of adult animals during summer is skewed towards females with an extremely low juvenile/female ratio. A higher male mortality due to dispersal and related issues with anthropomorphic reasons is suspected. Results are discussed in the light of published and unpublished data from previous studies on the Farasan Islands and other Mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella) populations from the Arabian mainland and the Levant.