关键词: 普氏原羚, 濒危物种, 生境破碎, 保护生物学

Abstract: Przewalski 's Gazelle， Procapra przexoalskii (Buchner)，is a species only found in
central China，In 1875，Przewalski first collected the first specimen of the gazelle in southern Ordos. Inner Mongolia．Historical distribution of the species covered Inner Mongolia，Gangsu and eastern Qinghai．After 120 years，distribution of the species shrunk to Qinghai Lake(36°32′-37°15′ N，99°36′-100°47′ E) area．The gazelles are now isolated in three populations which live on the east，northwest shores of the lake，there is no chance of gene exchange between the east and northwest populations．In 1986，there were about 350 Przewalski's gazelles in the Qinghai Lake area．Daily census in 1992 counted 37 gazelles inside the Bird Island Protected Zone on the west shore，but the number down to 19 during our last survey at the end of 1994．However，also in the Buha River delta，we counted 79 Przewalski's gazella in 3 groups in the spring of 1995．On the east shore，there used to be about 100 Przewalski 's gazelles in late 1980's，where they lived on the margins of rangelands．However，the pastures have been fragmented by game fences and the wild herbivores have been fenced out since October，1994．At the same time，the third population of about 70— 8O survivors in the Chalatan area is run after by poacbers．All to gether the total number of Przewalski 's gazelles still live at the three sites may be fewer than 200．they may be the only survivors of the species in the world．We do not know how long the species will survive．It may extinct before we can understand its evolutionary and genetic backgrounds：However，we are seeking all possible means to save the species，including in situ captive breeding and exsitu conservation．Judging by its habitat and numbers，the Przewalski's Gazelle is the most critical endangered ungulate species in China ，probably in the world．

Key words: Przewalski's gazelle, Endangered species, Habitat fragmentation, Conservation biology