The goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), despite possessing the widest distribution range of any ungulate in Mongolia, remains one of the least studied ungulate species globally. While Mongolia harbors the world's largest population of these animals, scientific understanding of their behavior and adaptability is limited. This knowledge gap is particularly concerning given the increasing pressures of habitat fragmentation due to rapid development, especially linear infrastructure like roads and railways, in the gazelle's Gobi Desert habitat.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Mongolia has been working to address this gap, deploying GPS collars on over 30 goitered gazelles to track their movements and assess the impact of these anthropogenic changes. The story of one particular female, whom we'll call Altan, offers a poignant example of both the challenges and the remarkable adaptability of these animals.
Altan was approximately three years old when WCS Mongolia researchers fitted her with a GPS collar. For over four years, she provided invaluable data on goitered gazelle movement ecology. Her behavior, however, was anything but typical. Goitered gazelles are traditionally described as nomadic, moving randomly across the vast steppes in search of resources.
Altan, on the other hand, exhibited a striking pattern of seasonal migration, more akin to North American ungulates like pronghorn, mule deer, or whitetail. She consistently followed the same 230-kilometer route, traversing two railway lines in the Umnugobi province. Each summer, she journeyed north to a specific pasture, returning south in the winter to escape the harsh cold (Figure 1).
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Figure 1: This map shows the consistent movement pattern Altan following in the four years she was tracked by WCS Mongolia.
"She retraced her path almost step for step," marveled Dr. B. Buuveibaatar, Senior Scientist with WCS Mongolia, observing the map of Altan's movements. "This has never been documented before." This remarkable, consistent migratory behavior, previously undocumented in goitered gazelles, suggests a potential adaptation to the increasing fragmentation of their habitat.
Altan had seemingly found a way to navigate the complex landscape, including newly constructed railways, to access vital resources. Her case offered a unique opportunity to understand how these animals might adapt to the rapid environmental changes occurring in the Gobi.
Tragically, Altan's journey came to an end on January 1, 2025. Weeks after her death, local rangers, guided by the GPS collar signal, discovered only remnants of fur and flesh beside the collar itself near a new railway fence in Umnugobi province.
Her death underscores the severe challenges that linear infrastructure, particularly fenced railways, pose to ungulates and other wildlife in Mongolia. The rapid economic development driven by a mining boom in the Gobi, while bringing progress, is fragmenting this vital ecosystem and threatening its unique biodiversity. The loss of Altan highlights the urgent need for conservation strategies that balance human needs with the preservation of this fragile environment.
While a 2014 study indicated that collared goitered gazelles typically confine themselves to small areas, more recent data from the post-2020s suggest a shift towards wider habitat use. This change could be a consequence of increased human disturbance related to development. The scientific community recognizes the critical need for further research on this species, and Altan's story provides compelling evidence of their capacity for adaptation, as well as the significant threats they face.
WCS Mongolia, recognizing the goitered gazelle as a priority species, is committed to working with the government, academia, partners, and local communities to develop solutions that promote both human well-being and the long-term ecological health of the Gobi, ensuring a future where these remarkable animals can continue to thrive.