The dama gazelle was once found in three subspecies throughout the Sahara. The Mhorr gazelle, a reddish-brown subspecies of the dama gazelle, was found in the north-west of the Sahara, where it was wiped out by poaching in the 1980s.
Hellabrunn and Mhorr gazelles
a long tradition of species conservation
Hellabrunn Zoo has been keeping and breeding Mhorr gazelles since 1981 and has played a key role in the survival of this species in captivity. In 1992, Hellabrunn and the EEZA in Almería were each able to return a number of animals to Morocco. The offspring of these animals still live today in several fenced wildlife enclosures.
In order to establish a fully wild population in the Sahara, an initial release of 24 animals is scheduled to take place in southern Morocco during the winter of 2026/2027. Hellabrunn is working closely with EEZA Almeria and ANEF Morocco on this project. The released gazelles will be fitted with GPS collars funded by Hellabrunn Zoo, enabling their movements to be closely monitored. The timing of the release in winter provides the animals with the best possible start – following the winter rains, the barren desert landscape offers the greatest availability of food and water. Over the next five years, further animals from European zoos are to be released each year.
The GPS collars are fitted to the animals whilst they are under anaesthesia. 
Release of a Mhorr gazelle fitted with a GPS collar. 
Project area in the Sahara. 
At Hellabrunn, the Mhorr gazelles regularly produce successful litters.