Earlier this year, The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced that Abu Dhabi is home to the largest herd of Arabian Oryx in the world.
A total of 5,000 Arabian Oryx calls the UAE capital home according to the report published by the EAD to mark its 25th anniversary. It’s said 10,000 in total live in the UAE.
Now 100 more of the animals have been released in the Al Dhafra region’s Baynunah, into the 774 sq km Houbara Protected Area, which is managed by EAD.
The release is part of the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme, which aims to release the Arabian Oryx back into their natural habitat, within large reserves.
“The Emirate is committed to preserving wildlife and endangered species, and the release of these majestic animals into the wild constitutes a moment of pride for us,” said HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“This emphasizes our efforts to reintroduce the Arabian Oryx, a project that was launched in Al Ain City back in 1968.
“The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan issued his directives to establish programmes to protect the Arabian Oryx, such as breeding and protecting the wild animals from extinction, whilst reintroducing them back into their natural habitat.
“Following this, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan launched a similar programme in 2007, which is part of the Abu Dhabi government’s vision to create a regional herd that reflects all programmes for the resettlement of the Arabian Oryx in their range countries.
“During the past few years, the UAE, specifically the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme, has played a pivotal role in protecting the Arabian Oryx, preserving it from extinction and enhancing its numbers in the wild.
“This has resulted in changing its status in 2011, in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, from ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable to extinction’. This is considered as one of the most important achievements in the field of the reintroduction of species on a global level.”
For more information visit www.ead.gov.ae.
