Catastrophic die-off of globally threatened Arabian Oryx and Sand Gazelle in the fenced protected area of the arid central Saudi Arabia

Main Article Content

M.Z. Islam
K. Ismail
A. Boug

Abstract

A large number of die-off of globally threatened Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx), and Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa marica) were recorded from 1999 to 2008 in fenced Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area (PA) in western-central Saudi Arabia. Mortalities of animals have been recorded during summer months when the rainfall is negligible or insignificant. Deaths were due to starvation because of reduced availability, accessibility and quality of food plants in the area. In total, 560 oryx and 2815 sand gazelle deaths were recorded since the reintroduction projects began till the end of 2008. Mortalities of animals were higher in 1999-2001, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Grazing of oryx habitat depends on rainfall and animals move over great distances in response to rain. The fence around Mahazat as-Sayd PA prevents natural movements of animals, and artificially concentrates the ungulate populations into possibly unfavourable habitat. The sand gazelle is a highly gregarious and migratory species, moving long distances in search of good quality pastures. Populations of sand gazelle in Central Asia are also known to migrate over large distances, covering several hundred kilometers. It is therefore likely that by preventing natural movements of sand gazelles and oryx, fencing may have reinforced the effects of stressful conditions such as drought. To reduce the catastrophic effects, a Strategy and Action Plan was developed in August 2008 to manage oryx and gazelle within the reserve and with provision for food and water at the five camps in the reserve as emergency plan to minimize mortalities.

Article Details

Section
Articles
Author Biographies

M.Z. Islam

M. Zafar-ul Islam is field biologist with strong interest in international wildlife conservation and had been associated with BirdLife International (UK), RSPB (UK), BNHS (India) and Aligarh Muslim University (India). His main research work is on ecology and biology of key species of birds and their habitat evaluation and niche modelling. Since April 2006, he is looking after the Research and Field Monitoring Department at the National Wildlife Research Center and handling the reintroduction programs of Houbara Bustard, Red-necked Ostrich and Arabian Oryx.

K. Ismail

Ahmed Boug is General Director of National Wildlife Research Center and field biologist who studied the ecology and biology of Hamadrays Baboon in Saudi Arabia. He has produced several papers in international journals on his research.

A. Boug

Khairi Ismail is field researcher working in Mahazat as-Sayd protected area in Saudi Arabia since last 20 years on Arabian Oryx, Gazelle and also monitoring Red-necked Ostrich. He has published several papers in international journals.