Here is what the page “Gemsbok in New Mexico: African Antelope Could Expand Dramatically Under Climate Change, St” contains. African gemsbok, a majestic antelope species introduced to New Mexico in the 1960s and 1970s for hunting, have established a thriving population in the U.S. Southwest, expanding more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from their original release site. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign attribute this successful spread to the animals' exceptional adaptations to arid environments, which allow them to thrive in the region's dry conditions.
As climate change intensifies drought and heat in the Southwest, the study predicts that suitable habitat for gemsbok could dramatically increase, potentially leading to further expansion. This matters because the non-native antelope could compete with native wildlife for scarce water and forage, altering delicate desert ecosystems. The findings highlight how climate change may enable invasive species to colonize new areas, creating complex challenges for wildlife managers. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.