Antelopes constitute a fundamental part of ecosystems throughout Africa and Asia where they act as habitat architects, dispersers of seeds, and prey for large carnivores. The fascication they hold in the human mind is evident from prehistoric rock paintings and ancient Egyptian art to today's wildlife documentaries and popularity in zoos. In recent years, however, the spectacular herds of the past have been decimated or extripated over wide areas in the wilds, and urgent conservation action is needed to preserve this world heritage for generations to come. As the first book dedicated to antelope conservation, this volume sets out to diagnose the causes of the drastic declines in antelope biodiversity and on this basis identify the most effective points of action. In doing so, the book covers central issues in the current conservation debate, especially related to the management of overexploitation, habitat fragmentation, disease transmission, climate change, populations genetics, and reintroductions. The contributions are authored by world-leading experts in the field, and the book is a useful resource to conservation scientists and practitioners, researchers, and students in related disciplines as well as interested lay people.

From the era of early cave paintings to the present time, ruminants - deer, antelopes, cattle, buffalo, goats, giraffes and their relatives - have captured the human imagination. Present on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, they have also been more important to human subsistence than any other mammalian group. This book is a discussion of the evolution, biology, relationships, and conservation of this fascinating and ecologically important group of mammals. Eminent authorities from around the world have contributed to this book on ruminants, integrating information from palaeontology, molecular and population genetics, anatomy, morphology, and field studies of behaviour, ecology, and the effects of climate change. Also covered are the genetics, morphology, and behaviour of the saola (one of several new species recently found in the Annamite Mountains between Laos and Vietnam) and other survivors from isolated and ancient branches on the ruminant family tree. Many of the living species are endangered, say the authors, and knowledge of their history, evolution, and basic biology is critical to their conservation.

Although most antelope species still exist in large numbers in sub-Saharan Africa (some in hundreds of thousands), up to three-quarters of the species are in decline. Threats to their survival arise from the rapid growth of human and livestock populations, with consequent degradation and destruction of natural habitats, and excessive offtake by meat hunters. In addition, some parts of Africa are mow almost completely devoid of large wild animals because of uncontrolled slaughter during recent civil wars. This report presents the information currently held by the IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group on the conservation status of each antelope species (and selected subspecies) in sub-Saharan Africa. Key areas have been identified for the conservation of representative antelope communities. While external donors make the greatest contributions to the conservation of antelopes, greater recognition of wildlife conservation in national and regional development plans is often a critically important requirement.

Antelope herds numbering in the tens of thousands formerly occurred across the steppes and semideserts of Eurasia and India, but these have nearly all been reduced to fractions of their earlier size; antelope populations are now fragmented across the region, and during recent decades several species have disappeared altogether. Threats include hunting, loss of habitat, population fragmentation, inadequate protected area coverage, poorly-developed administrative structures, under-resourcing of conservation programmes, and lack of enforcement of existing legislation. Rising human population growth and economic development constantly increases pressure on land and natural resources. There is a consequent need for integrated rural development, and community-based conservation projects, which have the full participation of local people at the planning and execution stages.This publication, Part 4 of the Global Antelope Survey, covers 37 countries in the region, and actions to conserve antelope populations are listed in each country report.

The United States and MexicoÕs shared environment extends far beyond the political line. For instance, it comprises the plant and animal species whose natural distributions extend deep into each nation along with the waters in rivers and aquifers that support ecosystem function far removed from the border. Conservation of Shared Environments presents a broad perspective on the ecological, social and political challenges of conserving biodiversity across the U.S.-Mexico border. Covering topics as diverse as wildlife and grassland preservation, water rights, ecosystem services, indigenous peoples, and the ecological consequences of border security, the contributors illustrate collaborative, transboundary efforts to overcome cross-border conservation challenges. This volume offers scientific analysis as well as insight for bridging gaps between researchers, policymakers, and the public. For more information on this and other volumes in the series, visit The Edge Web site.

"As the world's biodiversity faces the incessant threats of habitat loss, invasive species and climate change, there is an increasing need to consider more direct conservation interventions. Humans have moved organisms between sites for their own purposes for millennia, and this has yielded benefits for human kind, but in some cases has led to disastrous impacts. In response to this complex aspect of conservation management, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Reintroduction Specialist Group (RSG) and Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) have revised and published the IUCN 'Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations'"--Website.