CONSERVATION OF ARABIAN GAZELLES - Nwrc.gov.sa

• Studies of gazelle growth rates and development in captivity for the assessment of the
validity of morphological characters in taxonomic assessment;
• Integration of conservation and environmental management activities between the various
authorities concerned, on a national and regional basis, in order that environmental
conservation on the peninsula as a whole shall benefit and progress.
Conclusion
If we fulfill the ASG goal of conserving "as many populations as possible over as wide a range of
habitats as possible" then we will probably have covered much of the genetic variability within a
"species". The more attention we give to "subspecies" and "races", the more times we have to
subdivide the conservation dollar, and the more costly captive breeding becomes. It is more efficient
at this juncture to concentrate efforts to maintain what we have where we have it, as far as is possible,
while at the same time determining the taxonomic affiliations. In the long run, it is the conservation
of sufficient areas of ecosystems, as naturally complete as possible, that will en sure the survival of
genetic variability, biodiversity and species.
For as long as surveys and action plans continue to accumulate without any action
forthcoming, or in the case of the developing countries, the means to achieve the action being
proposed, they will continue to be looked upon as useful sources of information on various taxa, and
as ideals that cannot be achieved. The very high proportion of involvement by academic workers
outside the areas where the species exist, and/or by expatriates, also labels the plans as a form of
technical tourism, with limited relevance to real life in the developing world.
This is where national co-ordinating committees, based on the NCS process, could make the
greatest contribution in amalgamating all proposals for the conservation of various aspects of the
environment into a national plan. It is, sadly, far easier for example to fund the development and
management of the Senkelle Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary (54 km 2 ) for example, than it is to deal
with Ethiopia's critical problems of human survival in the face of crippling environmental
degradation, civil war and famine - all of which stem from the failure of the global community
(including Ethiopia) to achieve an equitable sharing of natural reSOurces and the development of
reasonable living standards globally. We in northern countries continue to commandeer more than
our fair share - 80% - of natural resources at bargain prices, despite the fact that we comprise such a
small proportion of the world's population - 20% (lUeN, 1980).
Until such time as we find a solution to human survival needs and the maintenance of critical
ecological processes, the management of protected areas in Africa and much of Asia, is doomed to a
cycle of burgeoning defensive wall construction, and failure. Recent events in Ethiopia illustrate
only too well the consequences of the removal, albeit briefly, of the defensive system presently
ensuring the survival of protected areas and their species. Within a few days three endangered large
mammal species - two of them antelope - had been brought to the verge of extinction (Hillman, 1991;
Tadesse et at., 1992). Similar tragedies can be expected elsewhere as the pressure on the
environment builds up in one of the scenarios visualized by East (I 992b). The alternative scenario
(to that above) - of falling human population levels, improved living standards and the return of the
benefits of conservation to the people of the area - is plausible, but only at extreme costs in human
terms (famine, war and AIDS).
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