Gazelles

In parts of Africa where national wildlife parks have been established, gazelles can be found in large numbers. In some parts of North Africa, Arabia, and the Near East, however, where they have not had protection, many species of gazelle have been nearly wiped out. Some gazelles that were close to extinction have been preserved through the efforts of particular governments or by individuals in cooperation with zoos.

A number of species of gazelle survive well in arid desert regions. Notable among them is the gerenuk, or giraffe gazelle, so called for the habit of standing up to forage for food. The gerenuk is able to balance itself on its rear legs and it has an unusually long neck. In zoos this gazelle seems never to drink water and has only on rare occasions been seen to drink in its natural habitat.