Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), master developer of Desert Islands and Qasr Al Sarab, and Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) have taken 15 female Arabian Oryx from EAD’s breeding centre and moved them into an open enclosure in the Liwa Desert surrounding Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. A further 5 male Oryx will be moved to the enclosure in due course. The Oryx will remain there for a year before being released back into the wild. The translocation of these endangered animals is part of the government of Abu Dhabi’s wider plan to release more native species from breeding centres back into their natural habitats.

The Oryx are now located in a secure enclosure at the Qasr Al Sarab reserve boundary, where they will be monitored to ensure they become accustomed to their new environment and remain healthy in their new home.

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Deputy Executive Director of the Biodiversity Management Sector at EAD said: “We have succeeded in re-introducing this symbolic species back into their natural habitat after being extinct from the wild for such a long time. This has been made possible thanks to the far-sighted vision of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who launched the Arabian Oryx’s first conservation initiative by establishing a breeding programme in 1968 in Al Ain Zoo. EAD is committed to supporting and facilitating Arabian Oryx initiatives and re-introduction programmes in partnership with other entities and agencies in the emirate, such as TDIC, as well as with other countries in the region.”

This announcement comes as a testimonial to TDIC’s commitment whereby it enhances Abu Dhabi’s tourism, cultural and recreational assets, while protecting the emirate’s natural environment. The Arabian Wildlife Park on Sir Bani Yas Island is an example of the company’s best practice in this area, and is home to a very healthy and well-established Arabian Oryx herd. The Conservation Team is working with the EAD to breed and eventually transfer more Oryx to repopulate the wild. The park is a sanctuary to over 10,000 native and non-native terrestrial mammals, some of which are endangered or extinct in the wild.

Dr Nathalie Staelens, Head of Environmental Services at TDIC, said: “We are very pleased to have collaborated with EAD on this great initiative. On Sir Bani Yas, the Oryx were originally introduced from several regions to the island, where they underwent a breeding programme, designed to increase their population to a viable size. This has been an immense success and in Sir Bani Yas Island alone, we now have 500 Arabian Oryx. As an extension to this breeding programme, more Arabian Oryx are going to be released back into the wild in the near future.”

The Oryx can be viewed by guests at Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara while on a Desert Drive or Walk – activities that can be booked through the hotel.

 

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