The status of Arabian Gazelles Gazella arabica (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae) in Al Wusta Wildlife Reserve and Ras Ash Shajar Nature Reserve, Oman

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.3398.9.7.10369-10373

Keywords:

Arabian Gazelles, distance sampling, Gazella arabica, Oman, zoogeography.

Abstract

We conducted distance sampling surveys of the Arabian Gazelle (Gazella arabica) in two protected areas, Al Wusta Wildife Reserve (WWR) and Ras Ash Shajar Nature Reserve (RSNR), regarded as important for gazelle conservation in northern and central Oman.  The survey in WWR estimated a gazelle density of 0.161 gazelles/km2 in the surveyed area, and in RSNR an estimated density of 25.8 gazelles/km2.  The density of Arabian Gazelle in RSNR is the highest recorded for a wild population.  Using gazelle sighting frequency in non-surveyed parts of each reserve, we estimate Arabian Gazelle populations of 498 and 505 in WWR and RSNR, respectively.  Our surveys demonstrated the potential for a high density of gazelles in well protected and productive habitats, but also that the Arabian Gazelle are in decline in WWR, most likely as a result of poaching and competition with domestic livestock. 

Author Biographies

Mansoor H. Al Jahdhami, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Managing Director of Environmental Affaris

Sultan Al Bulushi, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Senior Wildlife Specialist.

Haitham Al Rawahi, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Wildlife Biologist.

Waheed Al Fazari, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Head of Wildlife Department.

Ahmed Al Amri, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Wildlife Biologist.

AbdulRahman Al Owaisi, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Wildlife Biologist.

Salim Al Rubaiey, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Director of Environmental Affairs in Salalah.

Zahran Al Abdulasalam, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Senior Wildlife Specialist.

Metab Al Ghafri, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Senior Wildlife Specialist.

Shaeilendra Yadav, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Animal Care Technician.

Sami Al Rahbi, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Wildlife Biologist.

Steven Ross, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Oman.

Office for Conservation of the Environment, Wildlife Expert.

References

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Published

26-07-2017

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 7 (2017)

Section

Communications

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