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.
Highlights
MATERIALS AND METHODSArabian Gazelles (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae, Gazella arabica (Lichtenstein 1827)) are widely distributed across the Arabian Peninsula (Harrison & Bates 1991)
Using the estimates for the Huqf and the plateau we estimate that Wusta Wildlife Reserve (WWR) currently contains approximately 498 Arabian Gazelles
Our surveys have provided the first assessment of Arabian Gazelle in Ras Ash Shajar Nature Reserve, and a follow-up survey for assessment of the current status of Arabian Gazelles in Al Wusta Wildlife Reserve
Summary
MATERIALS AND METHODSArabian Gazelles (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Bovidae, Gazella arabica (Lichtenstein 1827)) are widely distributed across the Arabian Peninsula (Harrison & Bates 1991). Arabian Gazelle populations have been in decline for many years Anthropogenic threats such as poaching, road kills, habitat destruction and fragmentation are resulting in the species becoming increasingly rare (Insall 2001; Strauss et al 2009; Al Hikmani et al 2015). Al Wusta Wildlife Reserve (WWR), previously known as the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, was reported to hold the largest population of Arabian Gazelles in Arabia with an estimate of 10,000 gazelles (Insall 2001). More recently a survey in the area estimated a density of 0.224 gazelles/km, corresponding to an approximate population of 2,700 gazelles (Strauss et al 2009). New population data are required to quantify trends in population size and distribution, in core populations, which are under threat
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