Abu Dhabi - The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) hosted a training workshop on the management of Arabian Oryx records in the range states, organised by the General Secretariat for the Conservation of the Arabian Oryx (GSCAO), supported by the Al Bustan Wildlife Conservation Center.

The three-day workshop focused on best record keeping practices for management of the species, using a system designed to provide complete animal data to track their health status, identify the best care and develop plans for future management.

Held at EAD’s headquarters, the workshop was attended by over 40 wildlife experts from around the region, including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordon and USA, to discuss common challenges and agree on a unified approach to protecting the species across its natural home range.

Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, said: "This training workshop is just one of the many regional initiatives undertaken by the General Secretariat for the Conservation of the Arabian Oryx.  Through this meeting, we aim to continue to facilitate the exchange of information and help build capacity across the range states. By coming together regularly, we are able to develop a unified plan of action in relation to the challenges facing the Arabian Oryx in their natural habitat. "

Al Bustan Zoological Centre (ABZC) supported this local initiative as the main sponsor of this event. Meyer de Kock, Manager ABZC “The regional community drive the conservation efforts of the Arabian Oryx in the region. The skills development training that focuses on conservation-based record keeping will provide a common database of individual Arabian Oryx in the region; this combined information about the populations in the regions will assist decision makers to formulate a regional conservation breeding plan for the Arabian Oryx.”

During the workshop, the participants reviewed the current systems for Oryx record keeping used in their institutions. Representatives and experts discussed new and different methods of documentation and analysis of wildlife data, in order to help manage the Arabian Oryx population in the region based on scientific recommendations, keeping track of exchanges and ancestry to ensure that each herd is kept healthy and resilient.

The General Secretariat for the Conservation of the Arabian Oryx was established in 2001 and was an initiative close to the heart of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed, may God have mercy upon him.  This regional effort seeks to coordinate and co-operate with all range states of the species with the aim of building national and regional capacities and exchanging information and data to help protect the species and bring back viable free roaming populations across the Arabian Peninsula. For more information on the fascinating story of the Arabian Oryx and the efforts of the General Secretariat for the Conservation of the Arabian Oryx, please visit www.arabianoryx.org.

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About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda.

© Press Release 2017