LONDON: Wildlife and environmental authorities in Oman released 12 Arabian gazelles into the wild on Tuesday as part of the country’s efforts to preserve the species, which faces numerous threats to its survival.
The project to introduce the gazelles to the Hallaniyat Islands was led by the Environment Authority in the Dhofar region of southern Oman. Before the animals were released, experts carried out a comprehensive survey of plant species and water sources on the islands to ensure they would provide a sustainable environment.
The Arabian gazelle, with its distinctive brown coat and white belly, is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, its survival increasingly under threat as a result of habitat loss and poaching. The number of the animals in the Arabian peninsula is thought to be between 5,000 and 7,000, down from an estimated 12,000 in 2008.
The 12 gazelles released on Tuesday came from the Wildlife Reserve in Al-Wusta, central Oman. They were first taken to a wildlife breeding center in Mirbat for a three-month acclimatization period to help them adapt to the region’s climate, the Oman News Agency reported.
Hatem Kalshat Al-Mahri, head of the Arabian Gazelle Domestication Team, said it will monitor the gazelles using GPS devices attached to the animals and stealth cameras to ensure the herd's safety and track their movements.
