CONSERVATION OF ARABIAN GAZELLES - Nwrc.gov.sa

asis. The final compromise will provide for as many of the priorities as possible through coordinating
species conservation priorities where they are common to a geographical area as far as is
possible.
This suggestion is not unique to the ASG or even Africa. It is a concept that has been under
consideration by the SSC for sometime, and continues to be developed and pursued - in the formation
of SSC National Committees (S.N. Stuart, pers. comm.). "Successful implementation of Action Plans
is most unlikely to occur where it relies heavily on the efforts of dedicated but over-committed
volunteers who are remote from where the action is" (East, I 992c).
Relevance of the Action Plans to gazelle conservation in the Arabian peninsula
It is very evident from the contributions given to the present workshop that sterling work has been
done in determining the genetic status of the various "forms" of gazelle currently under consideration
in the Arabian peninsula. It is also clear however, that a very confused situation exists as to what
comprises the subspecies and even the species represented, and that very little information exists or is
being gathered from the wild populations remaining. One article (Magin, this volume) addresses the
present survey of gazelle in the south of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while another (Williamson
and Tatwany, this volume) makes brief mention of some aerial and ground surveys. Conservation
status of wild gazelle has been reported on in the recent past (Thouless et al., 1991), but the results of
systematic surveys carried out in the wild have not been presented, neither have materials from wild
individuals yet been accessed for genetic and taxonomic studies.
It is very clear from the various contributions that detailed genetic research has been carried
out on gazelle taxonomy, but however, based almost entirely on captive animals in the Kingdom and
Gulf states, and elsewhere. Clearly the provenance of these animals is very doubtful, with ample
opportunity having existed in the past for hybridization to have occurred in the various collections
(Habibi, 1992), and even in the introduction of gazelles to the Farasan Islands (Thou less and AI
Bassri, 1991).
It is imperative that a programme for field conservation is initiated, as equally well-supported
as the excellent genetic assessment of captive populations. The present survey in the wild between
Taif and the Yemen border is only proposed to last for 6 months. In addition, every attempt should
be made to collate existing information and material from the wild into a comprehensive data base,
taking every opportunity to assess gazelle taxonomy from material from wild individuals.
The continued survival of gazelle and other wildlife in the Arabian peninsula will depend, as
in other areas of the world, on successful field conservation management, integrated with other
landuse disciplines. Considerable attention is presently being given in the Kingdom and other
countries of the peninsula to captive breeding of animals that have, for the most part, been maintained
in captivity from various uncertain origins.
In summary, the fOllowing are evidently required:
• A parallel well-supported field conservation programme, based upon the Protected Areas
System Plan (Child and Grainger, 1990), and updated with more recent knowledge;
• Data and material of known provenance for taxonomy;
• Amalgamation of genetics data with ecological and behavioural data;
• Maintenance of areas for reintroduction in the wild;
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