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.