intraspecific competition for the gazelles and allow individual animals to grow larger on average. In 1985, a large population of mountain gazelles built up through game conservation in two Israeli reserves, in the southern Golan Heights and Ramat Yissachar, was decimated by foot and mouth disease. To prevent such occurrences, a plan was drawn up to stabilize the female population at 1,000 in the Golan and 700 in Ramat Yissachar. Threats and conservation Mountain gazelles were hunted throughout Israel because they were thought of as a pest until 1993. Their numbers are still low for multiple reasons. In some areas, they face predation from feral dogs and jackals. They also face poachers for their skin, meat, and horns. As with other animals, mountain gazelles are harmed by road accidents, habitat degradation, and habitat fragmentation. Mountain gazelles are now a legally protected species, but often there is not enough enforcement to protect the species. Although the range of the gazelle was once extensive, most mountain gazelles are now found in Israel. In 1985, the gazelle population was approximately 10,000, and in 2016 the population had declined to 2,500. Mountain gazelles are being bred for release in the Gazelle valley, Jerusalem. The West Bank Segregation Wall, which was built by Israel between 2000 and 2005, poses a great ecological conundrum at it separates populations of many indigenous species on both sides. The Mountain Gazelle is one of these. Subspecies The Hatay mountain gazelle lives on the northern Syrian border and a population has been discovered in the Hatay Province of Turkey. Historically, some others such as the Cuvier's gazelle (G. cuvieri) were included as a subspecies, but recent authorities consistently treat them as separate species. References External links Mammal watching in Israel Mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella) images Jerusalem gazelles get guaranteed home after 10-year battle Gazella Mammals of the Middle East Mammals described in 1766 Taxa named by Peter Simon Pallas