An extremely rare sighting of a gazelle has caused a stir since the animal has more than the expected number of limbs.
It was first spotted by Nir Liechter during a stop at Nahal HaBashor nature reserve in the western Negev in Israel. Liechter then sent a photograph to the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) for further investigation.
The animal is a male mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella), a species listed as by the with the population estimated to be just 2,500 adults in the wild. This population, which is largely based in Israel, is found on plains or hill landscapes and has been known to live in steep areas, hence their name.
Despite the two extra limbs on the back of the male, the animal is doing well – and has even managed to breed with females. The genetic condition is known as polymelia, whereby extra limbs are found on the animal, known as supernumerary limbs. In some cases, these limbs can pose a threat to survival and have been known to occur in many including .
As well as the challenges of the condition, these animals face the threats of habitat fragmentation, poaching, and being hit by cars, according to . In some areas, predation by feral dogs is also a problem. Despite these severe challenges and its extra limbs, this gazelle seems to be thriving.
“Contrary to expectation,” Amir Balaban, SPNI’s Director of Urban Nature, told , “the gazelle is healthy, strong, and has three female gazelles and a fawn from the previous fall. He has been seen hosting the females in the fields and the extra legs on his back pose no challenge to him.”