HAIMA: The Arabian Oryx reintroduction project in the Governorate of Al Wusta is a living symbol of its unique natural history. These steps began in the 70s and included multiple stages of reproduction and health care until the Arabian Oryx was re-released into its wild environment.
Sultan bin Mohammed al Balushi, Director of the Arabian Oryx Department, said: “The Arabian Oryx Reserve is the first natural reserve in Oman, surrounded by diverse wildlife. The reserve’s area is about 2,824 square kilometres, making it one of the largest natural reserves in terms of area”.
He adds the number of Arabian oryx in the reserve is approximately 900. The reserve also includes 1,140 sand gazelle and 140 heads of Arabian gazelle, as well as Nubian ibex, sand fox, striped hyena, wild rabbit, and honey badger, in addition to ostriches and Llama.
Said bin Ali Habis, an ecosystem specialist at the Arabian Oryx Reserve, said: “The Arabian Oryx Reserve drives economic development by supporting ecotourism, promoting the culture of conservation and preservation of natural habitats, education and field research to enrich knowledge”.
He added that the implementation of a project to plant 80,000 wild trees such as Samar 'acacia,' Sidr and Ghaf began two months ago. The reserve’s gate will be developed and illuminated, and the construction of facilities for the reserve’s employees will be completed.
He pointed out that the reserve worked to document the steps of the natural migration of the oryx by installing a tracking collar on the oryx to know the coordinates of its presence and the extent of its historical distribution, as well as monitoring its natural habitats throughout the region.
He also explains that January and February of each year sees the breeding season in the reserve, and 53 heads of Arabian sand gazelle were released last November in the reserve with the aim of enriching natural components with their Omani wildlife and improving the surrounding ecosystem.
He added that there is a mini exhibition in the reserve that contains some pictures and brochures explaining the story of the establishment of the reserve and the development that has taken place so far. — ONA
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