Arabian Sand Gazelle – Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area

My family and I saw a number of Arabian sand gazelle Gazella marica, in Mahazat As-Sayd Protected Area on out trip there. The Arabian sand gazelle Gazella subgutturosa maricaknown locally as Al reem is a species of gazelle native to the Syrian and Arabian Deserts. Today it survives in the wild in small, isolated populations in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and southeastern Turkey. The total population of wild sand gazelles is thought to be less than 3,000 although significantly more are held in captivity, reserves, or breeding programs. Until recently, the sand gazelle was considered a subspecies of the goitered gazelle Gazella subgutturosa, however a 2010 genetic study established that it was a distinct lineage and it is now considered a separate species. Further genetic analysis reported in 2012 found that the sand gazelle was closely related to two North African gazelles, Cuvier's gazelle Gazella cuvieri and the rhim Gazella leptoceros, perhaps even belonging to a single species. Known locally as Al reem it has declined significantly in numbers mainly due to illegal hunting and habitat loss. In Saudi Arabia, the majority of historical records are from the northern gravel plains and black lava deserts in the north and west of the Nafud desert. Due to the decline, a national captive-breeding program was started by the Saudi Wildlife Authority at its King Khalid Wildlife Research Center near Riyadh to produce Sand Gazelles for reintroduction in the wild with the objectives to establish a free-ranging, self-sustaining population in Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area. This protected area had previously held Sand Gazelle and the number of animals present suggest the reintroduction plan has worked well. Arabian sand gazelle is a graceful gazelle native to deserts in the Arabian Peninsula. It lives in sand dunes and coastal flats, and avoids steep and rocky areas.

Arabian Sand Gazelle at Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area – Near Taif

To enter the Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area you have to have special permission with the Protected Area entirely fenced and the all gates locked. Entrance to the Protected Area is trough one of the five ranger stations scattered around the Protected Area to ensure no unauthorized people can enter. We were very lucky to gain permission to enter the Protected Area and be shown around and are extremely grateful for the access. The National Wildlife Research Centre (NWRC) have reintroduced Arabian Sand Gazelle to the Protected Area with over 800 animals present that are incredibly difficult to get close to. The numbers are the maximum for the species in the Protected Area showing the successful nature of this reintroduction that is a great credit to the Saudi Wildlife Authority and the NWRC. We saw many animals in our day in the Protected Area and although almost all were seen at a distance running we very luckily saw one in the middle of the day resting very close under an acacia type tree. I managed to take a couple of reasonable photos of this animal before it ran off.

Arabian Sand Gazelle or Reem Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa marica is one of four subspecies of goitered gazelle and is found only in the Arabian Peninsula. They are smaller and lighter than other goitred gazelles with males standing 56 centimeters tall at the shoulder and they can weigh up to 22 kilograms with females being slightly smaller weighing up to 18 kilograms. Both sexes have long, curved, lyre back horns, with those of the male longer, broader and more curved than the female. They inhabit the desert and semi desert areas of their range and feed on grasses, leaves and young shoots. During summer they graze largely between dusk and dawn, digging shallow pits, where the earth is cooler, in which to rest. Breeding occurs from September to January. The Arabian Sand Gazelle is in decline due to illegal hunting, expanding agriculture, competition for food with livestock and fragmentation of habitat through development. Males do not live more than 6 years in the wild, while females can live up to 12 years. They can eat 6 kilograms of vegetation a day and most of their water needs are gained through the plants they eat. To keep cool and reduce water loss via the body, desert gazelles can store body heat during the day, without panting or sweating and release it at night.