Investigation on Population Characteristics, Association Patterns and Decreasing of Gazella Subgutturosa Population in Kalmand- Bahadoran Protected Area in Yazd province

In the recent decades Goittred Gazelle populations has had a downward trend. So it is necessary to identify effective factors on its population. A study was conducted to investigate population characteristics and association patterns of Goittred Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in Kalmand– Bahadoran protected area during one year. Affected parameters on population growth such as natality and mortality rates were calculated via sampling during 4 seasons. We also designed spatial logging forms to determine the mortality of the species during a year and to determine the most important reasons of adult gazelle's death. The results of the study showed that gazelle natality rate was 24.02 %. Fertility rate of gazelles was 70 percent and survival rate of lambs was 30.3 percent. Death rate in a year was 28.2 percent and the most important reasons of the adult gazelles death were irregular hunting and free- roaming dogs. Growth rate of the population in a year was- 4.13 percent. Mean groups size of gazelle was 7.1 (n = 161, SE= 0.54) and the largest group was seen in the winter. Gazelles sex ratio (male: female) was estimated 1: 2.14 (n = 1136). The outcome of this research implies that inspite of the improvements in management affairs during these years the sinking process of gazelle's growth was growing up and the populution of them dropped down even to the lower point than the minimum viable population.