Restoring Wildlife Populations in Uruq Bani Maarid: A Successful Reintroduction program

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by National Centre for Wildlife Riyadh, National Centre for Wildlife, Saudi Arabia

Arabian Oryx in Uruq Bani Maarid Protected Area

Zaffar Mir

The Uruq Bani Ma'arid protected area, located in the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia, faced a drastic decline in native wildlife like the Sand Gazelle, Arabian Gazelle, and Arabian Oryx due to habitat degradation and hunting. By 1960s Arabian Oryx was extinct from wild and other species had declined drastically in Saudi Arabia. This decline threatened biodiversity and disrupted the ecosystem. To address this, the National Centre for Wildlife (NCW) implemented a comprehensive restoration program starting in 1990s . Key actions included reintroducing these species as well as Houbara Bustard from captive-bred populations, enforcing protection measures, and restoring their habitat. NCW also conducted biodiversity studies, re-zoned the area based on biodiversity needs, and established managed grazing zones to prevent overgrazing.

Last update: 10 Jan 2025

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Contexto

Défis à relever

Ecosystem loss

Poaching

Lack of public and decision maker’s awareness

In the western part of the Empty Quarter lies the Uruq Bani Ma’arid protected area, a once thriving habitat for the Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica), Arabian Gazelle (Gazella arabica), and Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx). The area is located at the end of a vast sandy desert which is bounded on the west by a limestone escarpment. The top of the escarpment is a limestone plateau which has incised wadis that flow eastwards and terminate in the vast dunes of the Rub' al Khali. The area had witnessed a drastic decline in its native wildlife populations, primarily due to habitat degradation and hunting, pushing these iconic mammal species to the brink of extinction. This decline of native wildlife in this region not only disrupted the ecological balance but also threatened rest of the biodiversity of the area. There was an urgent need to restore these species to revive the ecosystem and ensure the sustainability of the protected area.

Scale of implementation

National

Ecosystems

Hot desert

Tema

Habitat fragmentation and degradation

Species management

Restoration

Ubicación

Wadi ad-Dawasir governorate, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

West Asia, Middle East

Procesar

Summary of the process

The National Centre for Wildlife (NCW) Saudi Arabia implemented a comprehensive restoration and reintroduction program for the Sand Gazelle, Arabian Gazelle, and Arabian Oryx into Uruq Bani Maarid encompassing an area of 12,684 km2. To safeguard the reintroduced species, NCW established a robust monitoring and patrolling system. This involved regular surveillance of the area, enforcement of anti-poaching laws, and the use of technology to track the movements and health of the animals. The reintroduction program was also seen as an effort to restore the habitat itself. By bringing back these species, the NCW aimed to re-establish the natural processes that had been disrupted by their absence. Measures were taken to restore the natural habitat of these species to ensure successful reintroduction.

Building Blocks

Captive breeding and Reintroduction

The NCW successfully reintroduced Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica), Arabian/Idmi Gazelle (Gazella arabica), and Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx) into the protected area, selecting individuals from healthy captive-bred populations while ensuring genetic diversity. The Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) has also been successfully reintroduced in the area. From the early 1990s to 2025, a total of 425 Sand Gazelles, 103 Idmi Gazelles, and 400 Arabian Oryx have been reintroduced. Additionally, 90 Houbara Bustards and 20 red-necked Ostriches have also been released into the reserve. Although population growth has been modest, the recent population estimation exercise indicates that the populations of all these reintroduced species remain stable within the reserve.

Habitat Restoration

The reintroduction program was also seen as an effort to restore the habitat itself. By bringing back these species, the NCW aimed to re-establish the natural processes that had been disrupted by their absence. Measures were taken to restore the natural habitat of these species to ensure successful reintroduction. Restoration of the reference ecological conditions entailed the restoration of the native vegetation and the management of exotic and/or invasive plants.

Habitat degradation resulting from developmental activities is being effectively mitigated in the reserve through strategic measures aimed at controlling human settlements and enforcing regulations pertaining to grazing and hunting activities.

To restore the ecosystem's structure, function, and biodiversity, collaborative efforts with the National Centre for Vegetation Cover (NCVC) have facilitated extensive plantation drives across designated areas.

Invasive Species Management: A comprehensive management plan has been devised by the National Centre for Wildlife in partnership with the NCVC to address the proliferation of invasive species within the reserve.

In addition to these efforts grazing pressure is being managed by zoning the reserve.

Biodiversity Studies

Intensive studies were conducted to assess the biodiversity of the protected area. These studies provided valuable insights into the ecological balance, species richness, and overall health of the ecosystem.

Re-zoning Based on Biodiversity

Based on the results of the biodiversity assessments, the NCW undertook a re-zoning of the protected area. Different zones were established according to biodiversity needs. The zoning plan was prepared to include a set of zonation categories that are firstly responsive to the IUCN categories, and secondly responsive to the natural, man-made and cultural historic environment of the Protected Area. Different identified zones are respectively Pristine Wilderness (18% of the PA), Remote Wilderness (42%), Restricted Wilderness (33%), Low Intensity Use (7%) and High Intensity Use Zone (0.05%). The zoning was carried out following comprehensive socio-economic surveys and consultations with local communities, ensuring careful consideration of benefit-sharing mechanisms. Since the zoning was limited to the designated protected area, the impact on the surrounding communities—few in number—was minimal.

Impacts

The reintroduction of the Sand Gazelle, Arabian Gazelle, Arabian Oryx, and Houbara Bustard into Uruq Bani Maarid has demonstrated significant ecological, scientific, and societal benefits. These efforts highlight the importance of species reintroduction as a conservation strategy, contributing to both biodiversity and ecosystem health.

-Restoring Ecological Functions: The reintroduction has reinstated the natural ecological roles these species play within the desert ecosystem. This dynamic is essential in desert ecosystems where vegetation patterns are crucial for sustaining biodiversity.

-Population Monitoring and Adaptive Management: Ongoing population monitoring provides crucial data to inform adaptive management strategies. By tracking population growth, genetic diversity, and habitat use, management can adjust protective measures in real time.

-Biodiversity-Informed Zoning and Managed Grazing: The comprehensive biodiversity studies conducted in the area have led to the re-zoning of the protected area to reflect the specific ecological needs of various habitats.

-Conservation Awareness and Education: The successful recovery of these species has heightened public awareness of conservation issues, emphasizing the importance of protected areas in preserving biodiversity. This program serves as a model for conservation efforts at other areas.