Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Fences Impede Long-Distance Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra Gutturosa) Movements In Drought-Stricken Landscapes, Kirk A. Olson, Thomas Mueller, Peter Leimgruber, Craig Nicolson, Todd K. Fuller, S. Bolortsetseg, Amanda E. Fine, B. Lhagvasuren, William F. Fagan

Craig Nicolson

Human-generated landscape barriers are especially problematic for species whose life histories entail long-distance movements. In May 2008, hundreds of Mongolian gazelles (Procapra gutturosa) became entangled in border fences as thousands attempted to move from Mongolia into Russia. Typically, the root cause of such (non-migratory) mass animal movements can only be superfi cially described. Here we draw upon satellite imagery and a fortuitously timed fi eld study to investigate a likely hypothesis. At the same time that gazelles were attempting to cross from Mongolia into Russia, gazelles equipped with satellite-linked collars repeatedly attempted to emigrate from Mongolia into China. Satellite-derived estimates …