18 Arabian oryx released in Qatar’s Sealine reserve

In accordance with plans and strategy to preserve biodiversity and multiply wildlife in the country, the Ministry plans to .introduce more Oryx into the reserve later to take the total number to 50, 

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, represented by the Department of Natural Reserves, has released 18 Arabian Oryx into the fenced Sealine reserve, a report in The Peninsula says.

In accordance with plans and strategy to preserve biodiversity and multiply wildlife in the country, the Ministry plans to .introduce more Oryx into the reserve later to take the total number to 50, 

The Ministry wants to geographically distribute the wildlife to more than one natural reserve in the country to reduce the chances of contracting diseases, as well as to prevent inbreeding among the same herd, and to promote internal eco-tourism to attract visitors to the  Sealine and Al Udeid areas.

The oryx is known to be an animal of tremendous stamina that covers long distances by foot in the desert, at times covering more than 70km during the night. The Arabian oryx has been considered an animal of beauty by the people of the Arabian Peninsula for centuries.

The Arabian oryx is easily identified by its bright white coat (sparse fur) which reflects the sun’s rays, broad hooves, allowing it to walk with relative ease in the sand along with the long, distinct, slightly curved horns employed by both male and female species.

 With its oversized horns and elegant body, the antelope holds huge cultural significance in the Gulf. It has a remarkable tenacity to survive in one of the most inhospitable natural environments in the world.

Fortunately, the immense conservation measures taken by Qatar through what was known as Operation Oryx paved its way to breed a number of these animals in captivity, keep them in private collections until they were finally reintroduced into the wilderness in 1982. 

There are now close to 1000 species of the oryx that roam wild throughout the entire Arabian Peninsula, including the Arabian Oryx, the East African Oryx and the Gemsbok 

The Department of Natural Reserves is also studying several similar environmental and tourism projects in the country, including the release of ostriches and deer inside fenced nature reserves in the country..

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