MUSCAT : Since the seventies, the Arabian Oryx, a living emblem of Oman’s distinctive natural history, has been at the forefront of a journey marked by reproduction, healthcare, and a grand return to its wild domain. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Balushi, the maestro behind this symphony as the Director of the Arabian Oryx Department, proudly announced that the Arabian Oryx Reserve stands as the Sultanate’s first and grandest natural reserve, sprawling over 2,824 square kilometres.
A haven of diversity, the reserve boasts a thriving community of approximately 900 Arabian Oryx, alongside companions like sand gazelles, Arabian gazelles, Nubian ibex, sand foxes, striped hyenas, wild rabbits, honey badgers, and even the regal ostriches and llamas, totalling a majestic 1,140 heads.
Saeed bin Ali Habis, an ecosystem specialist at the Arabian Oryx Reserve, revealed that the environmental extravaganza doesn’t stop at wildlife conservation. It extends to an ambitious project planting 80,000 wild trees, illuminating the reserve’s gate, and constructing facilities for dedicated employees. The reserve has become an economic engine by supporting ecotourism, nurturing a culture of conservation, and championing education and field research.
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Adding a touch of tech to nature’s wonders, tracking collars on the oryx have unveiled their natural migration patterns, offering insights into historical distribution and habitats. Breeding seasons, like the upcoming months of January and February, become moments of anticipation for the reserve, accentuated by the release of 53 Reem gazelles last November.
Local and international visitors have flocked to the reserve, with approximately 1,200 in 2023 drawn by the allure of an immersive mini-exhibition narrating the reserve’s inception and development. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of environmental specialists, veterinarians, and caretakers ensure the well-being of the diverse animal herds, emphasizing the commitment to biodiversity preservation in the region.
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