Seasonal Dynamics of Herd Structure of Re-introduced Arabian Oryx in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, United Arabian Emirates

Mag. Sofiia Pyshnieva

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Arabian oryx is the biggest antelope of the Arabian Peninsula. In 1972 population of oryx became extinct in the wild, but was successfully brought back to its original habitat with the help of re-introduction program already in 1980s. Current research aimed to study seasonal dynamics in herd structure and activity pattern of semi-wild population of Arabian oryx on one of the sites of re-introduction in the United Arab Emirates - Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (225 km2). Records from camera trap station and rangers` reports were analysed to reveal seasonal changes in herd composition within and between years - 2011 and 2019. Time pattern of records, amount of independent events, age-sex structure of herds, group size, density and abundance estimation were compared throughout these two years. Moreover, these parameters were compared within and between natural and improved areas (with water and feed supplies). Results confirmed that there was a seasonal shift in activity pattern within and between studied years. In 2011 activity pattern revealed that Arabian oryx were active half of the day and were mostly crepuscular animals. In 2019 at artificially improved location the activity budget was much wider and following another distribution, i.e. with several daily peaks. Camera trap records analysis revealed, that there has been seasonal variation in detection rate of animals and their density, moreover some areas were more preferred by animals than the others. According to direct regular counts, abundance tended to increase during the year from winter to summer season. It was shown, that random encounter model (REM) is promising tool to use in fenced reserves with sufficient resource capacity to study species density. Comparison of advantages and disadvantages of different approaches in data collection resulted in the list of suggestions to improve research agenda of the DDCR. Obtained results might serve as a valid baseline for management team to apprehend potential issues in oryx population dynamics and improve current survey practises. Consistent research on seasonal dynamics of re-introduced Arabian oryx population in the range-limited facilities remain to be essential for assessing the success of wildlife conservation efforts, as well as applying this knowledge to ecologically similar antelope species in semi-arid and arid habitat.

Keywords

Herd structure, Camera trapping, Random encounter model, Population dynamics, Arabian oryx, Oryx leucoryx, Seasonal dynamics

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 13. 5. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: prof. RNDr. Pavla Hejcmanová, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Master programme / field:
Tropical Agriculture / Wildlife Management in the Tropics and Subtropics