Province
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Northern Borders Wildlife
| The deserts of the Northern Borders Province supports Wolves, Scorpions, Falcons, Jackal, Reem (Sand Gazelle), Hyena, Rabbits and Lizards. Of great interest are the Houbara Bustard and the Onager |
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The Harrat al Harrah Protected Area is located to the west and south of Turaif and extends into Jouf Province. The main ranger station for the area is around 7km from the reserve boundary and about 40km from the main highway. It is reached along a gravel road and has a staffing complement of 15 rangers. There are a further 45 additional staff working from 8 other ranger stations (6 of which are in Jouf Province).
The protected area covers 13,775 sq km and consists of flat to rolling terrain. Some areas are exposed sedimentary rock where vegetation grows and basaltic rock surface (remains of old lava flows) which is barren.
After a heavy rain, this area and other desert areas in the province have a lush and attractive growth of wildflowers and other plants. The protected area contains a variety of wildlife including Wolf, Jackal, Reem, Hyena, Rabbits, Lizards, Houbara Bustard and other birds.
The Houbara Bustard is a delicate desert dwelling bird which is the subject of an ongoing rescue from extinction. Traditionally, Houbara Bustard, Stone Curlew, Desert Hare and Gazelle were the species that a Bedouin could usefully hunt for dinner, and the Houbara was the prize among them. Weighing up to 3kg, capable of out-smarting and out-flying all but the best falcons, and so superbly camouflaged as to be virtually invisible on the ground, it is also the sport hunter's favorite prey. But today, with the Houbara population dwindling fast throughout the Arabian Peninsula, hunting the bird is permitted in Saudi Arabia only during a short winter season, and a total ban applies in protected areas such as Harrat al Harrah.
Wildlife workers are trying to save the Houbara Bustard from the fate of the Onager. The Onager was a gregarious animal found on the Arabian peninsula throughout human habitation, but had almost disappeared by the middle of the nineteenth century. A few lived on in Iraq and southeast Jordan until early this century, but now these are gone as well. Its speed and ability to withstand the worst conditions of the Hammad and Nafud deserts left its numbers unaffected despite the intensive hunting by successive cultures in the area. It was the coming of firearms and automobiles that tipped the scale against it when it was finally hunted into extinction.
The National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD)
Tel: 01-441 8700
Fax: 01-441 0797
mcwcd@zajil.net |
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