The characteristics of the main habitats of goitered gazelle (Artiodactyla, Bovidae) in Azerbaijan

The goitered gazelle was widely distributed in semi-desert plains and mountain foothills of the country. In historical times the distribution and number of gazelles was depending on alluvial activity of Kura and Araxes Rivers, level of the water in the Caspian Sea, irrigation and cultivation of steppes and semideserts, persecution of the gazelles by numerous tribes and peoples that inhabited this territory etc. By the mid XX century the number of gazelles in Azerbaijan declined catastrophically and was about to be extinct. By common efforts of state and international conservation organizations it was possible to significantly restore the historical range and the number of gazelle population in the country. Our studies covered current and potential gazelle habitats with purpose to find perspective sites for reintroduction. The article is devoted to a description of main habitats of the goitered gazelle in Azerbaijan.