A critically endangered species, it has disappeared from most of its former range due to overhunting and habitat loss, and natural populations only remain in Chad, Mali, and Niger.

Its habitat includes grassland, shrubland, semi-deserts, open savanna and mountain plateaus.

It is between 90 and 95 cm (35 and 37 in) tall at the shoulder,[8] weighs between 35 and 75 kg (77 and 165 lb), and has a lifespan up to 12 years in the wild or 18 in captivity.

Unlike many other desert mammals, the dama gazelle is a diurnal species, meaning it is active during the day.

Always on the alert, the dama gazelle uses a behavior called pronking to warn herd members of danger.

Pronking involves the animal hopping up and down with all four of its legs stiff, so that its limbs all leave and touch the ground at the same time.

The dama gazelle is generally divided into three subspecies based on the colour of the animal's back, flanks and haunches.

Genetic studies have raised questions over the validity of these subspecies and the variation in colour (phenotype) appears to be clinal.

The main reason this species of gazelle is endangered is because of mechanized hunting; hunters using vehicles increase its decline.

[1][13] The few measures that have been taken are reserves so the animal can live in a peaceful environment and captive breeding to help rebuild the populations.

The species reproduces in captivity, but the small founder population potentially presents a problem and may result in inbreeding.

[18] Few substantial in situ conservation efforts have been mounted due to the political situation in their currently fragmented habitat.

[13] In 2015, a reintroduction project was conducted in the Western Saharan territory of Morocco, in the Safia Natural Reserve close to the border with Mauritania.

This milestone project proved that reintroduction of wild animals in this part of the world is extremely difficult despite the favorable sentiment of the majority of local communities.