'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

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'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by Alpha Female » Tue Nov 16, 2010 2:45 pm

Strange Thompson's gazelle in the Masai Mara.

We first reported on this very unusual gazelle in August, when we reproduced some images taken by well known photographer Paolo Torchio. We have now received another image of the same gazelle (presumably) kindly sent to us by Robert Berntsen. The image was taken in the Masai Mara on 31st October, showing that the unusual gazelle is still alive and well. We have also had a sighting reported from the east (Narok) side of the Mara River, south of Talek River - late in July 2010.

Mr Berntsen reports that "It looked like a young male Thomson but with deformed head and upper neck. In addition there were long black strands of hair all over its body. On its head the blood vessels seem to be abnormally thick. Its size and behaviour looked quit normal and was accompanied by other Thomson's gazelles, although seemed to stay in the outskirts of the group."

Mutations and oddities
The most well know 'oddities' in the animal world are unusual, or lack of, colour displayed by some animals. Often classed as Albinos, this can occur across a wide range of species, though it is often not albinism but leucism.
Source: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/mu ... zelle.html

You can find pictures of this odd-looking gazelle found on the link. ^^
I think it's quite interesting to find a mutant animal like this still alive. The rest of the article talks about albinism/leucism which doesn't seem to be the problem for this gazelle. I thought it would be an interesting article to share. =3
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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by Koa » Tue Nov 16, 2010 4:00 pm

What a find! It is interesting to see that the animal is still alive and doing well- thanks for sharing! (:

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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by Masika » Tue Nov 16, 2010 4:16 pm

Oohh, this is quite an interesting find! I think that this 'mutant' Gazelle is certainly one of the most strangest things I've seen within an animal. However, its good to know its living and surviving well. Thanks for sharing this, Alpha Female!
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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by Atropine » Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:34 am

It's good to know that this animal is surviving; I wouldn't have expected a 'mutant' animal to be able to survive for long in the wild. Thanks for sharing this with us, Alpha Female. (:
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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by Grin » Tue Nov 23, 2010 6:08 pm

In a way, it almost looks like a gazelle infected with the lycanthropy disease, considering there is excess fur growing along its body, especially around the face. ^^;

This is a really interesting article.

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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by IndianWolves » Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:32 am

Atropine wrote:It's good to know that this animal is surviving; I wouldn't have expected a 'mutant' animal to be able to survive for long in the wild. Thanks for sharing this with us, Alpha Female. (:


Ya most deformed and muntant animals only live around 2 or 3 years like a two headed pig I saw on animal planet , or a two headed kitten I saw on animal planet.
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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by -x-Zaroque-x- » Thu Dec 02, 2010 12:45 pm

Well, how interesting, it really stands out from the rest, maybe more reserch should go into this, and maybe we could find out a bit more about this 'mutant gazzele'!
It could be a genetic 'problem'' the Gazelle has.
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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by FlamingSirius » Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:38 am

Very interesting.It is quite amazing to see this.
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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by Fullmoon00 » Wed Dec 15, 2010 10:27 am

It can be maybe long haired gazelle,but i havent hear like that.That was one creepy gazelle :shock:

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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by lightshadowwolf223 » Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:57 am

Hah it looks like a old man with a beard. :lol:
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I just say: No. its population managment, and could someone who hates animals know so much about them?

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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by Charbanae » Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:34 pm

Lol, that's one weird lookin' gazelle! :P
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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by wolfloversk » Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:52 pm

Hah I heard about this before... glad to know it's still alive.

Some sort of Angora gene maybe?
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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by Legendary-Taco » Tue Aug 23, 2011 12:07 am

Like some have stated above, glad to know it's doing well ^^ Usually, animals in the wild with mutations or abnormalities don't survive long in the wild 3: Thanks for sharing, Alpha Female :)
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Re: 'Mutant' Gazelle in Masai Mara

Post by Toralu » Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:33 am

Checked out the photos indeed it is strange... But lets hope that this mutant-animal lives its life normally. C:
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