The United Arab Emirates is doing its part to prevent a desert species from becoming extinct. Once a symbol of the Arabian desert and the countries they inhabit, the Arabian oryx, a type of antelope, was hunted nearly into extinction some 50 years ago. It is now classified as “vulnerable,” in part due to efforts by Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency. Meanwhile, Jordan has developed a herd of the oryxes in its Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, which is working to repopulate locally extinct species. The UAE announced on Sunday that it would send 60 Arabian oryxes to the reserve in Jordan, which will expand its herd and broaden its genetic pool, according to Jordan’s Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. There are fewer than 1,000 oryxes living in the wild today. Another about 9,000 more live in captivity in zoos and nature reserves in several Arab countries.
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