UAE to release 60 Arabian Oryx in Jordan wildlife reserve 14/2/2020
Arabian Oryx are to be released in Shumari Wildlife Reserve in Jordan, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced on Wednesday.
The EAD and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) have signed an agreement to work together on the project.
The project, which will be managed by the EAD and implemented by RSCN, aims to release 60 Arabian Oryx in the Shumari Wildlife Reserve over next two years.
The project is expected to improve the genetic structure of the existing herd of 68 Oryx. The reserve will also be expanded to ensure there are enough suitable grazing sites for the Arabian Oryx, by rehabilitating land outside the boundaries of the reserve.
The agreement’s signing took place on the sidelines of the 10th World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi and was signed by Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, secretary-general of EAD, and Yahya Khalid, director-general of RSCN.
The project is part of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme, which was launched in 2007 and aims to provide large sanctuaries within the historical range and create a self-sustaining population that can roam freely in their natural habitat under effective and long-term management.
Since the launch in 2007, the programme has undertaken extensive breeding and reintroduction programmes, where so far, more than 1,000 Arabian Oryx have been released across the UAE, Oman and Jordan. Today, the Arabian Oryx Conservation is considered as one of the world’s most successful conservation programmes, which helped to increase the number of Arabian Oryx in the UAE to 10,000, of which 5,000 are in Abu Dhabi – the largest group of Arabian Oryx in the world.
The project will also contribute greatly to diversifying the genetic make-up of the Arabian Oryx herd in the Shumari Wildlife Reserve.
EAD and the RSCN will also develop an education centre and curriculum to help visitors and school students learn more about the Arabian Oryx conservation initiatives. Activities such as clubs, environmental camps and events that involve the local community in various stages of reintroduction programmes will raise awareness further. (GULF NEWS)
http://www.afedmag.com/english/NewsDetails.aspx?id=25214
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60 Arabian Oryx to be released in Kingdom’s Shaumari reserve
By JT – Feb 17,2020
AMMAN — The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) have signed a memorandum of understanding to release a herd of Arabian Oryx into Jordan’s Shaumari Wildlife Reserve (SWR), according to a RSCN statement on Monday.
Under the agreement, signed on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi-held 10th World Urban Forum by RSCN General Director Yahya Khalid and EAD Secretary General Shaikha Dhaheri, 60 Arabian Oryx will be released into the SWR.
The deal aims at improving the genetic structure of the existing herd of Arabian Oryx and rehabilitating additional grazing sites. The project is part of the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme, which was launched in 2007.
http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/60-arabian-oryx-be-released-kingdoms-shaumari-reserve