Sultanate of Oman

The last wild oryx in Oman was reportedly poached in 1972. A reintroduction project was initiated in 1980 at Al Wusta Wildlife Reserve (previously called the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary) which is located in the central desert of Oman. The project began with 10 Arabian oryx from the World Herd. By 1996, the project enjoyed considerable success and oryx numbers increased steadily, reaching more than 400 roaming an area of more than 25,000 km². Heavy poaching for illegal sale of oryx outside the country crashed the population to unsustainable levels. By the end of 2011, the captive population at Al Wusta Wildlife Reserve numbered 381 and the wild population was 61. Another breeding population is held by the Mammal Breeding Centre in Muscat. In December 2011 this breeding facility accommodated 268 Arabian oryx.

 

Oman Mammal Breeding Centre- Royal Court Affairs

www.rca.gov.om

Date of survey : 31 July 2021

Total number of recorded Arabian Oryx : 256

Number of males : 122

Number of females : 113

Number of unknown : 21

Al Wusta Wildlife Reserve

www.ea.gov.om

Date of survey : 31 January 2023

Total number of recorded Arabian Oryx : 871

Number of males : 257

Number of females : 319

Number of unknown : 295