Soemmerring's Gazelle

Range: Northeastern Africa Habitat: Semi-arid grasslands and open scrublands Conservation Status: Threatened Scientific Name: Gazella soemmerringii These graceful gazelles once ranged in herds of hundreds across northeast Africa's scrub and dry grasslands. Today they're reduced to a much smaller range, and now live in groups of only 15-20 animals. The reasons for their decline include overhunting and habitat destruction from overgrazing of livestock. Did You Know?  The rub marks on males' horns result from their habit of scraping their horns on the ground, which they do to show dominance over other males.

Here at the Zoo

The Antelope Yards are home to our Soemmerring's gazelles.

The Zoo is Helping Animals in the Horn of Africa

Soemmerring's gazelles are found in the Horn of Africa, an area that includes the eastern countries of Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. The Saint Louis Zoo is conducting field research in this area as part of our Center for Equid Conservation in the Horn of Africa. This conservation project is currently focused on learning about the endangered Grevy's Zebra and its habitat in order to protect the species. However, the work being done for Grevy's zebras may also benefit Soemmerring's gazelles, since the two species are suffering from the loss of their common habitat.