CONSERVATION OF ARABIAN GAZELLES - Nwrc.gov.sa

5. Jabal Jandaf
A small population of 5-10 gazelle persists on an undulating upland plateau to the west of Jabal
Iandaf, perhaps 20 lan' in area. The region is not heavily grazed, and only three Bedu camps were
seen on the single access track, which passes along the bed of Wadi Al Fatha. The nearest was
approximately 8 lan from the gazelle area. The only threat is therefore believed to be from illegal
hunting (Magin I 992b). The area may be included in the proposed Wadi Tarj protected area (Child
and Grainger 1990) but no action has yet been taken. The recruitment of one of the local residents as
a part-time guard would probably ensure the complete protection of this population.
6. Wadi Irbidah
Some gazelles are present at low density in a watershed region some 120 lan' in extent 10 lan to the
west of Wadi Al Lith in the Tihama foothills. The population is unlikely to exceed 20 animals. The
habitat consists of rocky hills dissected by small wadis. The surrounding area and major wadis are
occupied by camps of Bedu pastoralists. The nearest camps are some distance (three to seven
kilometres) from the gazelle area, but access by vehicle is relatively easy and it can be approached
from a number of direc tions. In addition there are several through routes adjacent to the area, with a
large amount of traffic. Illegal hunting, both by locals and outsiders, is apparently common, and is
the major threat perceived. Many other areas of equal conservation value probably exist, and
furthermore thi s particular area has the disadvantage of being difficult to police. It should therefore
be regarded as a low conservation priority (Magin 1992a).
7. Jabal Ghurab
The gazelle habitat consists of low rocky hills and plateaux drained by densely vegetated wadis,
situated on the Tihama plain near Jizan. The region experiences a higher rainfall than any of the
other areas visited, and hence ground cover is dense, to the extent that in some places the habitat is
reminiscent of African savannah. Several unusual plant species were present and common, e.g.
Adenium obesum, Delonix elata and Euphorbia ammak. The gazelle area is approximately 10 km
long by 4 lan wide, bounded to the east and west by rain-fed cultivation and to the south by the
workings of the Southern Province Cement Factory. To the north there may be no natural boundary
since the chain of hills extends for approximately 30 lan. Most habitations appear to be permanent,
and are situated in the surrounding lowlands. Livestock are pastured in the region during the day.
The gazelle population is estimated as numbering 10-20 animals, and is suffering from illegal
hunting, including hunting with "saluki" dogs. A small part of the habitat has been lost to the cement
factory workings. The highest densities of tracks and faeces, and indeed two gazelle themselves,
were seen within one kilometre of the factory conveyor belt. The best possibility for protecting this
population would be to enlist the co-operation of the factory authorities, and persuade them to engage
a local man to exclude hunters from the area (Magin 1 992b).
8. Jabal Marwan
A population estimated at 15-30 animals occupies a small area perhaps 30 lan' at the base of the
Tihama foothills in the vicinity of Iabal Marwan, near Qilwah. The habitat consists of well-vegetated
rocky hills, supporting abundant cover of the grasses Cenchrus sp. and Eleusine compressa, drained
by small wadis. Both permanent settlements and temporary Bedu camps are present near the gazelle
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