Origin of the Species

At first glance, it’s easy to understand why the expansive red sands of Rub’ al-Khali translate to “empty quarter” in Arabic. One of the largest continuous deserts on the planet, covering about one-third of the Arabian Peninsula, it spans 250,000 square miles across four countries—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. The temperature in Rub’ al-Khali can reach 124 degrees Fahrenheit. It rains less than 2 inches a year in this hyper-arid, extreme climate. Even so, Rub’ al-Khali was once home to large populations of Arabian oryx, Arabian sand gazelles, and ostriches.

All three species became locally extinct due to hunting, off-road driving, camel grazing, and threats presented by non-native species. The last ostrich in the Arabian Peninsula was recorded in 1939. As of 1972, only four Arabian oryx existed in the wild. The population of Arabian oryx had dwindled to such small numbers that a captive breeding program remained their only hope.

After careful conservation efforts and protection, things have changed and this species is no longer critically endangered. Shaybah Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Aramco’s voluntary sustainability community initiatives, and was created to reintroduce some of the Rub’ al-Khali’s iconic species, including the Arabian oryx, the Arabian sand gazelle, and the red-necked ostrich. The results have been remarkable. The sanctuary’s 246 square miles now protect dozens of native flora and fauna with the goal of restoring a functional ecosystem in the desert.

The Arabian oryx is a medium-sized white-coated antelope with striking black marks and straight horns that can reach 3 feet in length. This animal is one of the world’s most desert-adapted mammals. It exists in harsh desert environments like wadis, sand dunes, and stony plains, often going weeks without water. In the 1970s, the few remaining oryx were sent to the United States for a captive breeding program in order to save the species. They were then released back to wildlife sanctuaries across the Arabian Peninsula, including Shaybah. Today, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the species as vulnerable. There are only 1,220 wild oryx throughout the Arabian Peninsula—most of which are living in Saudi Arabia.

The Arabian sand gazelle has a petite, slim body with a short, bushy tail and elegant horns that curve inwards. Gazelles are social animals that travel in herds. They can be nomadic, migratory, or both. While wild population numbers are still low due to hunting and climate change; gazelles do well in reserves and breeding programs. The IUCN classifies the species as vulnerable.

Ostriches have roamed this region since pre-historic times. These large, flightless birds hold a special place in Arab culture. Arabian ostriches once roamed from the Damascus-Baghdad region to south of Riyadh, as well as from Sinai in the west to the Euphrates and Gulf region. Their main concentrations were in the Rub’ al-Khali and Nafud deserts. The red-necked ostrich is a subspecies closely related to the Arabian ostrich, which became extinct in the wild in 1966. Ostriches were hunted and poached for their feathers, eggs and leather. The IUCN lists them as regionally extinct.

Today, there are 130 Arabian oryx, 120 Arabian sand gazelles and ten red-necked ostriches roaming the expansive sanctuary at Shaybah. After a month in quarantine, each animal is tagged before release so that scientists can track their behaviors, stay informed of their individual medical histories, and monitor population growth.

Biologists believe there are 13 native reptiles, 18 mammals, and 176 bird species within the sanctuary, which is roughly the size of Bahrain. Shaybah Wildlife Sanctuary also protects and provides an opportunity to study endemic plant species that are able to withstand extreme desert conditions. The sanctuary aims to research information to lead and inspire other desert conservation projects worldwide.

(Photo and video credits: National Geographic CreativeWorks)