Objective Understanding water resource utilization patterns and suitable habitats distribution of wild animals is essential for elucidating the relationship between species and environment. This knowledge is also crucial for understanding their behavioral adaptation strategies, which is of great significance to improve effectiveness of species protection and management.

Method We used camera trapping to survey water resource utilization patterns of Goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) during the warm season. A model was employed to determine the suitable habitats and change characteristics in Kalamaili National Park (candidate area).

Result The results showed that: 1) We obtained 1, 101 independent detections of Goitered gazelle with an effort of 6, 040 camera trap days from April to October 2021-2023; 2) The utilization patterns of water resource by the species exhibited a unimodal distribution during the warm season, with peak activity occurring around 12: 00-15:00; 3) Currently, the area of suitable habitat for Goitered gazelle was 17, 400 km², and Kalamaili National Park protected 73.56%% of this area. And suitable habitat for species was predicted to decrease 32.09% by period of 2100s (SSP585) compared to the current period. 4) Water sources and roads have been identified as the predominant factors affecting species distribution.

Conclusion Our study will help to deepen the understanding of water resource utilization patterns and suitable habitats distribution of Goitered gazelle under climate change, and to contribute to the construction and protection of national parks.