The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has received 40 Arabian Oryx from the USA, which will become part of its long-running Arabian Oryx Breeding Programme under the Arabian Oryx Breeding and Reintroduction Project.

 

The Oryx, which recently arrived in Abu Dhabi, have been transferred to the Delaika Conservation and Breeding facility managed by EAD.

 

The newly arrived Oryx, 15 males and 25 females, will breed with the Oryx that are native to Abu Dhabi and which are currently residing in the Delaika facility. Serving as an extension of its breeding programme, the move is aimed at strengthening the gene pool for the Arabian Oryx in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to produce a more diverse, healthy and resilient population.

 

Ensuring genetic diversity is critical to ensuring the long term sustainability of any animal population; EAD has brought in these Oryx for breeding as an extra measure to ensure that the species remains sustainable for future generations. There are a variety of threats that any wildlife population can face. Having a small gene pool means that each individual shares many similarities with the rest of the population; therefore, if there were a disease that affected one individual it has the potential to affect many more in within that population. Genetically diverse groups will naturally have better chances of survival.

 

The Delaika Conservation and Breeding Facility was established by EAD in 2010 and is located in the Al Khazna area, in the southern part of Abu Dhabi Emirate. The facility covers nearly 3.5 million square metres (343 hectares) and is home to 5,000 animals comprising of three species: the Arabian Oryx, Mountain Gazelles, and Sand Gazelles.