Riserva naturale di Shaumari

RISERVA FAUNISTICA DI SHAUMARI

La Shaumari Wildlife Reserve è stata istituita nel 1975 dalla Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature come centro di riproduzione per la fauna selvatica in via di estinzione o estinta localmente. Oggi, a seguito di programmi di riproduzione con alcuni dei principali parchi naturali e zoo del mondo, questa piccola riserva di 22 chilometri quadrati è un fiorente ambiente protetto per alcune delle specie animali più rare del Medio Oriente. Orici, struzzi, onagri (un asino selvatico asiatico) e gazzelle, che sono raffigurati su molti mosaici bizantini locali del VI secolo, stanno ricostruendo le loro popolazioni e riaffermando la loro presenza in questo rifugio sicuro, protetto dalla caccia e dalla distruzione dell'habitat che li ha quasi spazzati via.

L'Orice e gli Onagri possono spesso essere visti vagare liberamente nel loro ampio recinto di praterie desertiche e le gazzelle possono essere osservate nelle loro aree recintate. I recinti di allevamento di Shaumari forniscono un piccolo "zoo" per i visitatori, rendendo la riserva un luogo popolare per i bambini e le gite scolastiche.

 

La storia dell'orice arabo

L'orice arabo, un'elegante antilope bianca, è uno dei pochi mammiferi autoctoni della penisola arabica. Si estinse in Giordania intorno agli anni '20, a causa della maggiore caccia alla sua carne, mantello e corna. La maggiore portata e potenza dei fucili, aggravata dal fattore dei veicoli a motore, furono la chiave per l'estinzione dell'Oryx. L'ultimo orice arabo selvatico conosciuto al mondo è stato ucciso dai cacciatori in Oman nel 1972.

Fortunatamente, prima di questo incidente, nel 1962, la Flora and Fauna Preservation Society e il World Wildlife Fund avevano lanciato uno sforzo di salvataggio internazionale noto come Operazione Oryx. Un branco di sopravvivenza mondiale è stato istituito negli Stati Uniti, con tre animali dell'Oman, uno dello zoo di Londra, uno del Kuwait e quattro dell'Arabia Saudita. Questo branco aumentò costantemente di numero e la Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature propose che l'Orice arabo fosse reintrodotto nel suo habitat nativo nei deserti della penisola arabica.

Nel 1978, undici Arabian Oryx furono trasferiti a Shaumari. Il numero di Oryx è ora aumentato a un fenomenale duecento! L'operazione Oryx ha avuto un tale successo che la Giordania ora fornisce Oryx ad altri paesi, che stanno conducendo programmi di reintroduzione.

Altitude: 520 meters above sea level

Group size: seven persons per car

Description: Your professional nature guide will meet you at the gate to the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve in converted Land Cruiser safari vehicles. The tour begins with a brief about the reserve and what to expect on your journey through the desert. The reserve is an amazing place where you will learn about Shaumari’s unusual desert habitats and conservation history.  Oryx Safari Trail brings you close to one of the region’s most magnificent (and endangered) wild animals: the Arabian Oryx. This large white antelope, with its long, pointed horns, is an icon of Arabia and is thought to be the origin of the mythical unicorn. While touring Shaumari, you may also see the Persian Onagers, another critically endangered species breeding successfully in the reserve. While we cannot guarantee that you will see any big animals on your trip, you will experience the special character of the Eastern Desert, with its surprising variety of vegetation and subtle colors.

Time: 3 – 4 hours.

Altitude: 520 meters above sea level

Group size: seven persons per car

Description: Your professional nature guide will meet you at the gate to the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve in converted Land Cruiser safari vehicles. The tour begins with a brief about the reserve and what to expect on your journey through the desert. Midway through the safari, you will stop for a picnic and enjoy a hot cup of tea while taking in the beautiful semi-desert landscape of Shaumari. The reserve is an amazing place where you will learn about Shaumari’s unusual desert habitats and conservation history.

Oryx Safari Trail brings you close to one of the region’s most magnificent (and endangered) wild animals: the Arabian Oryx. This large white antelope, with its long, pointed horns, is an icon of Arabia and is thought to be the origin of the mythical unicorn. While touring Shaumari, you may also see the Persian Onager, another critically endangered species breeding successfully in the reserve. While we cannot guarantee that you will see any big animals on your trip, you will experience the special character of the Eastern Desert, with its surprising variety of vegetation and subtle colors.

During your tour, you will learn the basic principles of animal tracking and practice reading tracks. Your guide will also provide an overview of the reserve’s vegetation, pointing out different kinds of native plants and herbs and their uses.

In addition to the safari, guests will also see falconry displays and the Oryx breeding enclosure.

Time: Up to 2 hours

Description: Arabian Oryx Biking trail brings you close to the Arabian Oryx; one of the most magnificent and endangered wild animals at Shaumari Wildlife Reserve. The biking tour begins with w brief about what to expect on your journey through the desert. While getting close to the endangered wild animals you will learn about the basic principles of animal tracking and practice reading tracks. Your guide will also provide you with an overview pf the reserve’s vegetation, pointing out different kinds of native plants and herbs and their uses.

Distanza: Round trail 3 Km

Duration: 1.5 hours

Level of Difficulty: Facile

Required Gear: comfortable shoes, bottle of water, a hat in the summer

Season: Spring, summer, fall, and late winter

Description:

The circular trail starts off at the Visitor Center then passes by the picnic and children play areas. As you reach the Wadi’s entrance gate, RSCN’s tour guide will take a few minutes to introduce you to the reserve and what to expect along the trail.

As you enter, you will be taken by the beauty of the distinctive desert scenery and biodiversity. Shaumari is home to more than 190 registered species of plants. Hence, the route is filled with flora that makes a tapestry of colors and textures. Perennial or annual, some of these plants are plantago, peganum harmala, artemisia, achillea and tamarix, retama and hordeum, while many are ideal for grazing and/or human consumption like chubaisa mauve, mountain spinach (atriplex hortensi), and ferula.

By the time, you get to the fenced enclosure, the first thing that will grab your attention is how mesmerizing are the long antlers of the White Arabian Oryx! Further down in your trail you will begin to notice small birds chirping. After a brief stop at the Rehabilitation Unit for Confiscating Animals, your journey ends where you’ve started it; at the Visitor Center.