First Record of Leucism in Albino Gazella bennettii from the Western Thar Desert, Barmer, Rajasthan, India

The Indian Gazelle, scientifically known as Gazella bennettii and commonly referred to as the Chinkara, belongs to the class Mammalia, order Cetartiodactyla, and family Bovidae. This species is easily identifiable by its reddish-brown fur on the underside and pale yellowish coat with faint white markings. The gazelle’sfur undergoes seasonal changes, adapting to its environment. During winter, its coat turns a dark grayish-sandy hue, providing effective camouflage against predators, while in summer, it transitions to a deeper shade of brown. Both male and female Indian Gazelles possess horns, though there are notable differences. Males have longer, thicker horns with prominent rings and slightly curved tips, while females have shorter, slimmer horns with less pronounced rings. On average, the Indian Gazelle measures between 0.9 to 1.2 meters in length and stands 0.6 to 0.8 meters tall at the shoulder. Adult males typically weigh between 20 to 25 kilograms, whereas females are slightly smaller, weighing less and often standing up to 10 centimeters shorter than males (Jerdon, 1874; Groves, 1993). A rare and noteworthy observation in the region was the recording of an albino gazelle in 2015, exhibiting abnormal body coloration (Khagendra et. All, 2016). Occurrences of fur color anomalies, such as albinism, leucism, and melanism, are quite rare in mammals and are not well-documented in scientific literature, especially concerning wild species. Most studies on mammalian coloration have concentrated on domesticated animals and laboratory mice, making sightings in the wild particularly important for understanding biological adaptations. In February 2024, a leucistic Indian Gazelle fawn was observed in the Western Thar Desert of Barmer District, Rajasthan, marking the first confirmed case of a leucistic gazelle in this area. This finding emphasizes the unique biodiversity of the Thar Desert and highlights the necessity for more research into the adaptive significance of these color variations in wild populations. Indian Gazelles have a polygynandrous mating system, where both males and females engage with multiple partners. Their diet primarily consists of desert vegetation, including grasses, cereals, legumes, fruits, and shrubs such as Crotalaria burhia (Bui), Ziziphus nummularia (Ber), Prosopis cineraria (Khejri), Tecomella undulata (Rohida), and Lasiurus scindicus (Sevan). These plants are well-suited to the dry environment and are vital food sources for gazelles. Indian Gazelles play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to maintain ecological balance and acting as indicators of environmental health. Unfortunately, their survival is increasingly at risk due to human activities. The growth of agricultural land, habitat fragmentation from fencing, and the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have greatly affected their populations. They also face dangers from natural predators like feral dogs and wolves, as well as conflicts with humans. Farmers often see gazelles as pests that damage their crops, which can lead to hunting or accidental harm. Research shows that the extensive use of agrochemicals not only impacts gazelles but also threatens other wildlife, insects, and birds, disrupting the fragile balance of the ecosystem (Rajpurohit and Chena Ram, 2011). Conservation efforts are crucial to address these threats and help ensure the survival of this iconic desert species.