Arabian Oryx Sanctuary
Arabian Oryx Sanctuary
The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary is an area within the Central Desert and Coastal Hills biogeographical regions of Oman. Seasonal fogs and dews support a unique desert ecosystem whose diverse flora includes several endemic plants. Its rare fauna includes the first free-ranging herd of Arabian oryx since the global extinction of the species in the wild in 1972 and its reintroduction here in 1982. The only wild breeding sites in Arabia of the endangered houbara bustard, a species of wader, are also to be found, as well as Nubian ibex, Arabian wolves, honey badgers, caracals and the largest wild population of Arabian gazelle.
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
Sanctuaire de l'oryx arabe
Le sanctuaire de l'oryx arabe est situé dans les régions biogéographiques du désert central et des collines côtières d'Oman. Les brouillards saisonniers et la rosée constituent un écosystème désertique unique et sa flore compte plusieurs plantes endémiques. Sa faune rare comprend le premier troupeau d'oryx arabes en liberté depuis l'extinction mondiale de l'espèce à l'état sauvage en 1972 et sa réintroduction ici en 1982. On y trouve également les seuls sites de reproduction en liberté de l'outarde houbara, une espèce d'échassier, ainsi que des bouquetins, des loups d'Arabie, des ratels, des caracals et la plus grande population de gazelles d'Arabie en liberté.
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
Santuario del Oryx árabe
source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0
The World Heritage Committee deleted the property because of Oman's decision to reduce the size of the protected area by 90%, in contravention of the Operational Guidelines of the Convention. This was seen by the Committee as destroying the outstanding universal value of the site which was inscribed in 1994.
In 1996, the population of the Arabian Oryx in the site, was at 450 but it has since dwindled to 65 with only about four breeding pairs making its future viability uncertain. This decline is due to poaching and habitat degradation.
After extensive consultation with the State Party, the Committee felt that the unilateral reduction in the size of the Sanctuary and plans to proceed with hydrocarbon prospection would destroy the value and integrity of the property, which is also home to other endangered species including, the Arabian Gazelle and houbara bustard.
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