but are not well-adapted to arid conditions. They will feed along the southern edge of the Sahara during the rains, but must migrate southward during the dry season in order to find sufficient water. Even where it is relatively common, population densities are generally as low as 0.3~0.7 animals per square km. Social behavior The red-fronted gazelle lives alone, in pairs or in small groups of no more than six individuals. Herds occasionally have been found of up to 15 individuals. Diet and predators The red-fronted gazelle is mainly a grazer, but also browses leaves from trees and scrub. The predators of the red-fronted gazelle include lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, wild dog. Reproduction and development The red-fronted gazelle gives birth to one fawn after a gestation period of 184–189 days. The fawn is likely to wean at around three months. Based on the closely related Thomson's gazelle, females may breed as early as nine months, while males may not mature until 18 months. The lifespan of gazelle is up to 14.5 years in captivity. Breeding in the wild occurs throughout most of the year. Typical of "hider" species, infants are cached by their mothers and visited for nursing. Status The total population of red-fronted gazelle is estimated at about 25,000 individuals, and their population is in a decreasing trend. The threats faced by the red-fronted gazelle include illegal hunting, habitat degradation and competition with domestic livestock. Overgrazing of its habitat by livestock drives it elsewhere, as does clearance of land for farming. Substantial populations have now dwindled to scattered remnant populations across most of its range. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as "vulnerable". Approximately 15% of the population of this species occurs in a number of protected areas throughout its range: W National Park (Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin), Waza National Park (Cameroon), Zakouma National Park (Chad), Dinder National Park (Sudan), and Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African Republic). They have also been reintroduced in the Guembeul Natural Reserve and Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary of Senegal. References External links red-fronted gazelle Antelopes of Sub-Saharan Africa Sahel Mammals of West Africa Mammals of Ethiopia Mammals of Cameroon Mammals of Chad Mammals of Eritrea Mammals of Sudan Mammals of South Sudan red-fronted gazelle red-fronted gazelle