A rare and graceful antelope native to the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau in China, primarily around Qinghai Lake. It was once found across a much wider area, but today, it survives in just a few isolated patches of grassland, surrounded by expanding human settlements. Despite its small size and fragile appearance, Przewalski’s gazelle is a tough survivor of cold, dry high-altitude plains.

This gazelle is relatively small, and it has a slender, agile body, long legs, and a short tail. Its coat is a pale brown or tan color with a white belly and rump, helping it blend into the dry grasslands. Males have curved, ridged horns that sweep slightly backward, while females usually have none. Their large, dark eyes and alert posture give them a delicate but watchful look, always ready to flee at the first sign of danger.

Przewalski’s gazelles are herbivores, feeding mainly on grasses and other low vegetation. They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, resting in the heat of the day. They live in small herds, usually composed of females and their young, with males joining during the breeding season in winter. Although not long-distance migrants like other gazelles, they do move around their limited range in response to changes in vegetation and water availability.

Przewalski’s gazelle has managed to survive alongside people, grazing near roads, villages, and even within view of livestock. However, this adaptability comes with risks — habitat loss, fencing, and competition with domestic animals continue to shrink their available range. Another interesting detail is that this species was believed to be nearly extinct for a while until small groups were rediscovered in the 1990s, sparking new efforts to protect them.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

China

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally: Gansu, Nei Mongol, Shanxi, Ningxia

China

2016

Qinghai