ABU DHABI// Work to protect the once-threatened Arabian oryx from extinction have been praised by conservationists.
The oryx is among the animals that are now thriving the Sir Bani Yas Isand nature reserve. It is home to one of the largest populations of the animal in the world, with a herd of around 500 free to roam the sanctuary.
It is just one of a number of species that have been brought back from the brink of extinction at the reserve, off the Abu Dhabi coast.
The last wild Arabian Oryx is believed to have been shot and killed in the Omani desert in 1972.
They were taken off the global list of endangered species in 2011 following international breeding programmes and are now classified as vulnerable.
To maintain balance in the Arabian Oryx population four cheetahs, which were also once indigenous to the region, were introduced to the island in 2008 and the first cheetah cubs were born in 2010.
The wildlife park is also home to non-indigenous animals like scimitar-horned oryx, the reticulated giraffe and blackbuck antelope.
All photos courtesy Karim Sahib / AFP Photo
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SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
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