Bedin E. & Ostrowski S. 1998. Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx reintroductions in Saudi Arabia: update. Re-introduction News 16: 13-14.

Summary: For the fourth consecutive year Arabian oryx have been translocated from the NWRC in Taif, into the 'Uruq Bani Ma'arid protected area. By March 1997, the reserve held a population of about 110 Arabian oryx. Two shipments totalling 17 animals were completed during March 1998. Oryx were transported in crates by air and road for a trip lasting approximately 7 hours, in groups ranging from three to six animals. Animals were aged between 12 to 36 months old. Of these 17 animals, 14 have been fitted with numbered collars only and 3 have radio-collars. All the oryx were pen-trained one month before the transportation to reduce stress. In the 'Uruq Bani Ma'arid protected area, the oryx were kept in well-vegetated 4 ha pre-release enclosures for around one month, provided with dry hay, dry alfalfa and water ad libitum. From the day after release, supplementary food and water were no longer provided. Since 1995, 100 oryx (47.53) have been translocated without deaths linked to the transport. Ninety-two of these animals were captive-born at the NWRC and eight came from the Mahazat as-Sayd protected area. Ages of the translocated oryx ranged between three months to six years at their arrival. Eight deaths have been recorded in the reserve; six are thought to have been the result of fights between males. The causes of the two other deaths are unknown. By the end of April 1998, the population of wild ranging oryx was estimated to number 155 animals and most of the oryx have remained within 100 km of the release site. Other release sites for Arabian oryx are under consideration in the Kingdom. In November 1997, an Arabian oryx pre-release enclosure was built in the Al-Khunfah protected area in the north of the Kingdom. Al-Khunfah was declared a protected are in 1989, and covers 20,450 km² of sand and gravel plains with low sandstone hills. However poaching problems and illegal grazing need to be controlled.

#2-1998-009