Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Releases a New Group of Arabian Oryx in the Houbara Protected Area

[UngulateNerd92]

Under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Agency in coordination with Al Dhafra Region Municipality, has recently released a new group of Arabian Oryx into the Houbara Protected Area. The group is the first of 100 Arabian Oryx to be released in stages before the end of the year. Located in Baynunah, the Houbara Protected Area is managed by EAD, and extends over a total area of 774 square kilometers.

Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Releases a New Group of Arabian Oryx in the Houbara Protected Area - بيئة أبوظبي

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Under the direction of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Agency in coordination with Al Dhafra Region Municipality, has recently released a new group of Arabian Oryx into the Houbara Protected Area. The group is the first of 100 Arabian Oryx to be released in stages before the end of the year. Located in Baynunah, the Houbara Protected Area is managed by EAD, and extends over a total area of 774 square kilometers.

Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Releases a New Group of Arabian Oryx in the Houbara Protected Area - بيئة أبوظبي

It is the second major release project after the Arabian Oryx Reserve East of Liwa on the borders with Oman and KSA. Qasr al Sarab is actually a resort and somewhat of an extension to the AOR. However, their founder stock 2.12 individuals were bred at the Deleika BC and kept in pre-release pens here. One article reports they will roam the edges of the 650,000km2 Rub al Khali desert. My dream would be that one day Arabian oryx are free released into the Rub al Khali.

UAE alone now holds 10,000 Arabian oryx in captivity and semi-wilderness fenced reserves or effective island ecosystems (Bani Yas)