Captive breeding has demonstrated its potential to rescue certain endangered species, and a recent birth provides tangible proof. At Bioparc Valencia, a Mhorr gazelle calf has arrived, joining a population that remains under two hundred individuals worldwide. This birth marks a hopeful milestone for a species that has suffered from severe declines and loss of habitat.
News about the natural world can carry heavy weight, yet there are bright moments when dedicated efforts yield real biodiversity gains. The Mhorr gazelle (Nanger griseus mhorr) at Bioparc Valencia represents one such moment. A striking male recently joined the park’s herd, underscoring the ongoing work of conservationists to stabilize this vulnerable population. This species, also known as the checker gazelle, is among the most striking large antelopes. It continues to be listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated 100 to 200 individuals remaining, and it has largely disappeared from its native habitat. These numbers highlight the urgency and the stakes of preservation work.
Historically, Spanish naturalist Jose Antonio Valverde played a controversial role in the gazelle’s disappearance from the wild. Today, however, professionals and institutions are collaborating to restore the species through formal conservation channels. Bioparc Valencia participates in the International Species Conservation Program, commonly referred to as the Species Survival Plan, which coordinates breeding and management actions across zoological institutions to maintain genetic diversity and bolster survival chances, both in Europe and beyond.
The Mhorr gazelle calf was born on a night that adds a poetic touch to the moment, quietly integrating with the existing group and often visible from the park’s outer enclosure as the herd recreates the savanna landscape.
re-entry plan in Africa
The birth represents the result of carefully managed, internationally coordinated breeding efforts designed to rebuild viable population numbers. The overarching aim is to ensure the species is secure from extinction through both ex situ and in situ strategies. Only a handful of zoological centers in Europe, North America, and Africa maintain this gazelle to support genetic diversity and to create a sustainable foundation for potential reintroduction when conditions permit.
Despite ongoing challenges in the wild, the work at Bioparc Valencia strengthens the reintroduction initiative across several projects in North Africa, aligning with broader regional conservation goals. The hope is that continued collaboration will add resilience to the species as natural habitats face ongoing pressure from human activity and climate change.
Mhorr gazelles at Valencia Bioparc
Located at the Valencia park, this group comprises a breeding pair, two females from the Valencia population, and a second male. Gazelles born in 2015 have been relocated to other institutions under strict international oversight, forming new groups and continuing the recovery process for this emblematic species.
“The Mhorr gazelle clearly illustrates a global conservation vision where both in situ and ex situ work are essential. Education, awareness, and a renewed connection with nature are equally important. Understanding the environment and recognizing the power of people to influence positive change help safeguard the delicate balance of biodiversity that sustains life,” Bioparc Valencia explains.
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