The first reintroduction of Arabian oryx in Saudi Arabian occurred in 1986 in Mahazat Al Said Protected Area (2,244 km²). Releases in this fenced protected area began in 1990. Successful population growth and releases had driven the numbers of oryx to just over 800 in 2003. However, this population figure was beyond the carrying capacity of the protected area and density-dependent effects created problems of overgrazing and habitat deterioration. By December 2011, the population in Mahazat As Said was estimated at 357 individuals. Another release site is in Uruq Bani Ma’arid (12,000km²) in southern Saudi Arabia. Unlike Mahazat Al Said protected area, this site is unfenced, and releases commenced in 1995. By 2011 the oryx numbers in this reserve were estimated to be approximately 200. Drought and poaching incidents are key factors threatening the restoration of oryx in the Uruq Bani Ma’arid. Other sites for Arabian oryx release in the kingdom have also been identified.
Total number of recorded Arabian Oryx : 688
Number of males : 436
Number of females : 252
Number of unknown : 0
Date of survey : 31 January 2023
Total number of recorded Arabian Oryx : 196
Number of males : 95
Number of females : 101
Number of unknown : 0
Date of survey : 31 Oct 2019
Total number of recorded Arabian Oryx : 650
Number of males : 208
Number of females : 156
Number of unknown : 285
Total number of recorded Arabian Oryx : 150
Number of males : 30
Number of females : 19
Number of unknown : 101
Date of survey : 31 Dec 2015
Total number of recorded Arabian Oryx : 600
Number of males : NA
Number of females : NA
Number of unknown : 600
