Some aspects of goitered gazelle conservation in Georgian-Azerbaijan trans-boundary zone

Goitered Gazelle is extinct in Georgia, this species has not been sighted in our arid and semiarid country ecosystems since 70s of the last century. Goitered Gazelle extinction was caused mainly by anthropogenic factors, such as:
1) reduction of living space, because of urbanization processes;
2) degradation of food sources (grasslands and pastures) due to erosion processes, which in turn are caused by overgrazing;
3) poaching.
In spite of problems mentioned above, there are still another places, which can serve as a playground for beginning of recovery processes. For the first time in the world we have investigated Goitered Gazelle in nature, studied the condition of historical range in Georgia, also the places inhabited by the healthy population (Shirvan reserve, Azerbaijan), determined the minimal size of viable groups, gazelle’s role in predator diet, their behavioural specificities and based on this information worked out the necessary recommendations needed for successful recovery and further conservation of Goitered Gazelle population in Georgian-Azerbaijan trans-boundary zone.