New Delhi: Numerous species of wild animals are threatened with extinction due to climate change and the decline of natural habitats. According to a report by the United Nations, around one million of the Earth’s estimated eight million animal and plant species are at risk, and many could vanish within the next few decades.
But amid these challenging circumstances, there are many positive developments. Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, certain animal populations have experienced a resurgence in recent years and decades. For instance, once extinct in the wild, the Arabian oryx has shown signs of population growth.
The revival of the Arabian oryx is a testament to the power of collaboration. Conservation groups, national rewilding programmes, and zoos work tirelessly to reintroduce this once-extinct species.
Today, there are about 1,220 Arabian oryxes in the wild and 6,000 to 7,000 in captivity, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Let us look at how Arabian oryx was brought back from extinction and some facts about these animals.
Despite the population rise, the species still faces some threats from illegal hunting (Photo credit: Nimit Virdi/500px/Getty Images)
Arabian oryx: How did it become the symbol of resilience in Saudi Arabia?
The Arabian oryx, also known as “Al Maha” in Arabic, is of great historical importance in Saudi Arabia. Bedouin tribes and poets have long respected it, as it symbolises strength, purity, and freedom. The Arabian oryx symbolises strength and victory in conservation in Saudi Arabia.
In ancient poetry and folklore, the oryx is described as a graceful and noble creature wandering the desert for sustenance and survival.
In Saudi culture, the Arabian oryx is often linked to the spirit of the desert and represents the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive in harsh environments. Its image is commonly featured in traditional artwork, jewellery, and cultural artefacts, symbolising KSA’s connection to its natural heritage.
What conservation efforts were taken by Saudis?
Like many animals in the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian oryx was almost extinct in the wild in the early 20th century due to overhunting and habitat loss. But, with the Saudi government and organisations coming together, the species has remarkably recovered.
Saudi Arabia has taken several steps to protect and save the Arabian oryx and its home. They have formed protected areas, put measures in place to stop poaching, and researched to understand the oryx’s behaviour and ecology better. Creating wildlife reserves and national parks, like the Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area and the Uruq Bani Ma’arid National Park, has protected the oryx and other animals in the desert.
The Oryx leucoryx species in the UAE has received significant attention since the time of our founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who launched a successful conservation programme that has won international recognition.
Today, the UAE is home to the… pic.twitter.com/cFU1oJp0vR
— وزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة (@MoCCaEUAE) July 31, 2024
Reintroduction and Population Recovery
A significant accomplishment in Arabian oryx conservation in Saudi Arabia has successfully reintroduced captive-bred populations into their native habitat. Through captive breeding programmes and careful management, populations of Arabian oryx have been reintroduced into protected areas across Saudi Arabia.
With these reintroduction efforts, the number of oryx in Saudi Arabia has significantly increased. Once believed to be extinct, the species now flourishes in protected areas, helping to keep the desert ecosystem balanced.
The Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme has been vital in these efforts, coordinating the release of captive-bred oryx into suitable habitats and following their progress in the wild.
Arabian Oryx’s Ecological Role and the Conservation Challenges
The Arabian oryx is crucial in maintaining the ecological balance in its desert home. As a grazing plant-eater, it helps control plant growth, preventing too much grazing and the spread of deserts. Also, predators like wolves hunt the oryx, helping to keep the desert ecosystem diverse.
Despite important conservation successes, keeping the Arabian oryx safe in Saudi Arabia is still challenging. The degradation of its home, climate change, and conflicts between humans and wildlife continue to put the species and its habitat at risk.
Arabian oryxes are herbivores (Photo credit: Alex Stoen/Moment/Getty Images)
About Arabian oryx
The Arabian oryx, a medium-sized antelope, is native to the Arabian Peninsula. Extinct in the wild by the early 1970s, it was saved in zoos and reintroduced into the wild in 1980. The oryx has a distinct white coat, brown undersides and legs, and long, straight horns. They eat mainly grasses, follow rains to eat new plants, and can go for several weeks without water. Wolves are their only predator. In captivity or safe wild conditions, they can live up to 20 years, but drought can reduce their lifespan.
The Arabian oryx once lived in Egypt and Yemen, but in the 1970s, it was classified as extinct in the wild due to overhunting. Conservation efforts involved breeding the species in captivity and reintroducing it into the wild. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
