ABU DHABI 27 July 2018: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), announced that its aerial survey of the Arabian Oryx Protected Area recorded 835 individual Arabian Oryx – a marked increase from the 160 animals introduced at the start of the Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Arabian Oryx Reintroduction Programme in 2007.
After two further trans-locations through Scimitar-horned Oryx Reintroduction Programme, there are now 89 adult Scimitar-horned Oryx and 18 calves living in the wild in Chad.
“Over the last year, we have seen continued success in two of our acclaimed species reintroduction programmes, said EAD in its annual report for 2017, highlighting its efforts and commitment to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater and the biodiversity of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi’s land and marine ecosystem.
In 2017, the Abu Dhabi Executive Council issued a decree for 17 new terrestrial and marine protected areas – not only was this the world’s largest number of protected areas declared at one time, but it brought the total number of designed protected areas in Abu Dhabi to 19.
With over 700 kms of Abu Dhabi coastline, maintaining our marine waters is essential for conserving biodiversity, protecting public health and preserving our emirate’s maritime cultural heritage, EAD said.
Delaija Wildlife Management Centre complete
The Abu Dhabi General Services Company (Musanada), has completed the Dh20.58 million construction and maintenance project of the facilities at the Delaija Wildlife Management Centre, for EAD. The project stretches over a gross area of 520,000 square metres.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, EAD Secretary-General, said, “Through this centre that hosts approximately 6,300 animals belonging to four different species, EAD breeds and manages specific endangered groups such as the Arabian Oryx, sand gazelle, mountain gazelle and scimitar-horned Oryx by improving genetic diversity to ensure their sustainability.
“Researchers at EAD implement management and breeding plans in a properly scientific and systematic way, in order to form a world herd to be included as part of the local reintroduction programs inside and outside nature reserves as well as the other international programs at the regional level, to help bring animals back to their habitats to live normally after ensuring that all necessary safeguards are in place.”
The construction of the Delaija project started in 2010, and is an outstanding breeding and conservation centre, being home for more than 6,000 animals.