TAIF — The Arabian oryx population has gradually recovered following decades of conservation efforts launched nearly 40 years ago.
The Arabian Oryx’s number declined significantly over the past century due to overhunting, rapid development, and the deterioration of its natural habitats.
In response, Saudi Arabia launched a national program in 1986 to preserve the Arabian oryx through breeding centers, affiliated with the National Center for Wildlife, with a founding group numbering around 57 animals, later supported by groups from regional and international sources.
The first steps toward reintroducing the Arabian oryx were taken at the Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve in 1989. Since then, the Arabian Oryx has been reintroduced across most of its historical geographic distribution range in reserves and national parks.
The Kingdom adopted integrated approaches in its efforts, including organized breeding, reintroduction, and research monitoring. There was also cooperation with international entities for wildlife conservation which contirbutd to the the Oryx’s gradual recovery.
Despite its high ability to adapt to harsh desert and semi-arid conditions, this desert animal nearly disappeared from its natural environment.
The Arabian Oryx has been one of the most prominent national models in wildlife protection and represents a successful national model for biodiversity conservation.
Source: Saudi Gazette