Movement patterns of two Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) within a midsized reservation

David Gallacher, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Ecology, Environment and Conservation

Publication Date

1-1-2015

Abstract

© EM International. Movement behavior of ungulates within a mid-sized arid rangeland reservation has implications for both conservation management and tourism. In this qualitative study, one male and one female Arabian oryx were tracked each 15 minutes for eight months using GPS collars in the 226 km2 Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Results were consistent with wild animals of the species for movement response to time of day, temperature, and rainfall. However, the oryx routinely used only 4.5% of their available range, despite having much larger ranges in wild populations. During summer months,the oryx actively sought drinking water on an almost daily basis, but utilized shade only opportunistically. Results were consistent with domesticated ungulates for toleration of anthropogenic proximity in exchange for artificial food and water, but avoidance of the DDCR boundary fence. An edge of 0.5-1.5 km from the fence was breached only occasionally at night, and was unrelated to anthropogenic activity outside the fence. As the edge represents 18-48% of the reserve, carrying capacity could be improved by using artificial feed and water points to encourage animals into this area.

ISSN

0971-765X

Publisher

EM International

Volume

21

Issue

3

First Page

1175

Last Page

1181

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Keywords

Anthropogenic effects, Arabian oryx, Conservation reserve, Edge effect, Heterothermy, Oryx leucoryx, Range

Scopus ID

85053443433

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS