Goitered Gazelles Spotted in Surkhan Nature Reserve for First Time
Goitered gazelles have been recorded on the grounds of the Surkhan State Nature Reserve for the first time since the sanctuary was established in September 1986.
The rare animals were spotted within the protected area managed by the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change. Thanks to favourable environmental conditions, a herd of 10 gazelles independently migrated to the Uzbek sanctuary from neighbouring Turkmenistan.
The goitered gazelle is classified as a vulnerable species experiencing ongoing population decline. It is officially listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
Until the early 20th century, these agile mammals were widely distributed across the sandy deserts and foothill plains of Uzbekistan. Today, they survive only in isolated and largely undeveloped pockets of the country as human encroachment shrinks their natural range.
Adapting to a changing landscape
In modern Uzbekistan, the species is primarily found on the Ustyurt plateau, throughout the Kyzylkum desert, across the Karshi steppe and in specific parts of the Surkhandarya region. Small groups of 10 to 15 individuals inhabit the southern reaches of the Kugitang mountain system across the Aktash, Kyzyl, Alisherdara and Hojabesh massifs.
Another 20 to 25 gazelles roam the foothills of the Babatag mountains. While they typically live in herds and undertake extensive seasonal migrations across vast territories, solitary individuals are occasionally observed in the wild.
Adult goitered gazelles measure between 110 and 115 centimetres in length and weigh up to 30 kilogrammes. Males sport dark lyre-shaped horns while females are naturally hornless. The species is frequently referred to as the black-tailed gazelle due to the stark contrast between its dark tail and pale hindquarters.
Located in the Sherabad district of the Surkhandarya region, the Surkhan State Nature Reserve provides a crucial haven for regional biodiversity. The protected zone is home to approximately 200 animal species, nearly 30 of which are officially recognised as endangered in Uzbekistan.
