14 oryxes return to nature

The UAE is today home to 10,000 Arabian oryxes with 5,000 of these in Abu Dhabi.

More than a dozen Arabian oryxes have been released to the Qasr Al Sarab protected area in Liwa on Thursday, giving visitors an opportunity to see the majestic animals.
Fourteen animals, including 12 females and two males, were moved to the area, as part of the long-running Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme, led by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD). Once on the verge of extinction, the species will now be able to traverse one of the largest sand deserts in the world - the Empty Quarter. 
Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, who was present during the release of the animals, said: "Abu Dhabi has six marine and 13 terrestrial protected sites, making up 13 per cent and 15.4 per cent of the emirate's area respectively, which are supporting some of the most critical habitats and significant species populations."
The minister noted that the release of the Arabian oryx by the EAD is a key example of how the UAE has placed a high priority on the importance of boosting and preserving biodiversity.
"We have seen the number of the Arabian oryx increasing in the UAE and reaching over 10,000 animals over the past few years, and this shows that the UAE is keen on protecting endangered and vulnerable species," Al Zeyoudi told Khaleej Times.
"The Qasr Al Sarab is a distinguished protected area and releasing these beautiful animals into this place will encourage tourists to come over and see them."
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development who was also present during the release of the animals, said: "The Arabian oryx is not only important environmentally to the region but also culturally. It held high value during past civilisations on the Arabian Peninsula and has featured prominently in Arab literature, art and poetry. It was revered not just for its physical beauty but for its ability to adapt very well to the desert environment, as well as for its strength and courage."
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, EAD's secretary-general who led the release project, said: "We have released the oryxes that have been in captivity in one of our world-class breeding facilities. 
"Our facilities are aimed to create a viable herd of Arabian oryx that we can release and rehabilitate back into the protected areas not just in Abu Dhabi but also across the UAE and the entire region." 
Dr Salim Javed, manager of terrestrial assessment and conservation of terrestrial biodiversity at the EAD, said they have released just a few animals as part of a pilot project because they wanted to see if the oryx can adapt to the environment and conditions in that area.
"This is the first time the animals have been released to this area. We want to first monitor them and see if they familiarise with the place. If the conditions are favourable, the population of these animals will grow naturally," he said. 
"Also, we want to control the population of the animals in this area so they have enough plants to feed on and besides, they will live near people."

Oryx reintroduction programme

The Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme was launched in 2007 with the aim to provide large sanctuaries within the areas they lived in the past.
Al Mubarak said that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's personal interest and foresight are the drivers behind the programme.
"Today, these efforts have evolved into the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme, which is considered one of the world's most successful conservation programmes. It has been going strong for 10 years and we are well within the reach of achieving our vision of creating large sanctuaries, within the areas that oryx lived in the past, where a viable population can roam freely," said Al Mubarak.
The programme started with the release of 98 animals, in 2007, and 87 others were released in 2011. A recent aerial survey of the Arabian oryx conducted by the EAD recorded 835 individual animals. Conducted by of EAD's biodiversity experts, the survey aimed to count and map the species across the Arabian oryx in the protected area, which covers approximately 6,000sqkm.
With the huge success of Sheikh Zayed's conservation and captive breeding efforts, the UAE is today home to 10,000 Arabian oryxes with 5,000 of these in Abu Dhabi.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com
 

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com