The Trans-Baikal Territory is visited by black-tailed gazelles that came from Mongolia

The seasonal migration of black-tailed gazelles from Mongolia to the border territory of Russia has begun. In the first decade of November, about 3 thousand antelopes were recorded in the conservation zone of the Sokhondinsky Reserve. 

The black-tailed gazelle is an artiodactyl animal, which was widespread even during the time of mammoths about ten thousand years ago. Black-tailed gazelles are very mobile, moving in herds over long distances. The black-tailed gazelle inhabits dry steppes with low turf. The black-tailed gazelle or goitered, lives in the steppes of China and Mongolia. During migrations, they enter the Altai steppes - the Chuya valley, the territory of Tuva and the southern part of the Eastern Trans-Baikal Territory. 

The habitats and abundance of antelopes in the territory significantly decreased in the 19th century due to mass extermination during hunting and the death of animals in snowy winters. In the XX century, poachers completely exterminated the livestock of this animal in the Trans-Baikal territory, Altai, and Tyva. 

  

The reserve’s represenatative said to EcoTourism Expert that not so long ago in Russia there was only one place of permanent residence of these artiodactyls in the territory of the Daursky reserve. However, at present, the local gazelles near the villages of Tyrin and Verkhny Ulkhun already numbers more than 1,000 individuals. The department for protection will continue monitoring the dynamics and growth of the population, the scientists added.