Big Changes at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation

Big Changes at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation

As of the 1st August 2011 Sven and Catrin Hammer have resigned from their posts of Director and Mammal Curator at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation. After eleven years heading one of the most exciting and important collections in the Middle East (and the world) the two dedicated zoologists have felt the urge to return home to Germany where they will take on new challenges in the Naturschutz-Tierpark Goerlitz.

I am sure that all friends and colleagues will wish Sven and Catrin well in their new posts and hope that the invaluable work carried out in Al Wabra will continue smoothly.

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News From Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation

News From Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation

New Hope for the Threatened Erlanger’s Gazelle (Gazella erlangeri) at AWWP

After an eight year preparation period, four female Erlanger’s gazelles finally arrived at AWWP

After an eight year preparation period, four female Erlanger’s gazelles (Gazella erlangeri) finally arrived at the Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation on 13.04.2010. This important contribution to the survival of this species is the result of collaboration between King Khalid Wildlife Research Center (KKWRC) in Thumamah, formally supported by the general secretary of the Saudi Arabian Wildlife Authorities Prince Bander Bin Saud Bin Mohammad Al-Saud, Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP).


The Erlanger’s or Neumann’s gazelle is considered one of the most threatened ungulate species worldwide. This rather small and dark gazelle with a stout body and short legs is described from the West of the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Yemen). Unfortunately there is no recent information on wild populations. Surveys in its range land are recommended to evaluate the actual status in the wild.

Previously considered as one of the various Gazella gazella subspecies, the Erlanger’s gazelle is nowadays treated as a distinct species (Grubb 2005, Groves 1997). Since the entire taxonomy of Arabian gazelles is currently under review, the present classification of this “little dark gazelle” is just a published opinion that may change with further research. Preliminary molecular analysis of mtDNA (dloop, cytb) revealed that this taxon is rather related to G. gazella from the East of the Arabian Peninsula (i.e.,G.g. muscatensis- Wronski, personal communication).

At present, there are only two known facilities keeping Erlanger’s gazelles: KKWRC with a total of 40 specimens and AWWP with 3.4 animals. To coordinate the breeding of the species, ZSL has established a studbook this spring.

Prior to import preparations, DNA analyses were carried out on both populations to ensure that the same species was being represented. Since there are only two old male Erlanger’s gazelles left at AWWP, time is running short to secure their valuable genetics. The four newly arrived females were born between ........Read More HERE



8 Baby Blues


AWWP is pleased to announce its blue macaw breeding results for 2010.

(In English, German and Portuguese)


The Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation is pleased to announce its blue macaw breeding results for 2010. In total we successfully bred 6 Spix’s Macaws (Cyanopsitta spixii) (1 male, 5 females) and 2 Lear’s Macaws (Anodorhynchus leari) (2 females). Two of the Spix’s Macaw offspring are the first in the international breeding program to be bred from a second generation parent (mother). The breeding of these 2 offspring is important for another reason to; their 36 year old father is one of only a few remaining wild founders and not only is he genetically important and the oldest Spix’s Macaw to ever reproduce, he is also the oldest Spix’s Macaw......Read more HERE

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Four At Once

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Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation celebrates the birth of 4 Somali Wild Ass babies

Between the 15th and the 28th of October 2009, not less than four of the critically endangered Somali wild asses (Equus africanus somaliensis) were born at Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation. The three little stallions and one mare, were sired by “Hector”, who arrived from Montpellier Zoo/France in April 2008, as part of an exchange within the European Endangered species breeding Program (EEP), where AWWP participates in.

Funnily, “Hector” was never seen mating with the mares - but proof that he successfully did so, is obvious. The four foals are frequently playing together on their favorite side - the rocky mountain within the wild asses’ spacious enclosure.

The Somali Wild Ass, regarded now as the most endangered Equid worldwide, has seen dramatic reduction over the last decade, of the wild population in their natural range – the Horn of Africa. This has been due to over-hunting, competition with livestock and habitat destruction. This last remaining ancestor of the modern donkey is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.

The Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation received their Somali Wild Ass group, two stallions and four mares, from Europe in April 2003. To keep the animals in a suitable surrounding, four separate enclosures (2 x 12,000 m² and 2 x 6,000 m²) and a stable, with ten boxes (4 m x 4 m each) plus

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