The dama gazelle is considered critically endangered due to over-hunting and loss of habitat due to livestock competition. The last remaining wild dama gazelle populations are highly fragmented and there are few protected areas or formal measures in place to preserve the species and its habitats.

Within only a few decades, the population of wild damas has shrunk from thousands to no more than several hundred. The few measures that have been taken are the creation of reserves so the animal can live in a peaceful environment and captive breeding to help rebuild its population.