Wildlife To Spot in The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

Other than the luxurious lifestyle and super luxury, lies a land in complete peace and tranquility, the deserts of Dubai. To preserve the Fauna and Fauna of Dubai’s deserts, the authorities in Dubai decided to set up an area that serves as the perfect environment for them. This area is known as the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve or the DDCR. Set up in 2004, this reserve has become home to 120 birds, 43 mammals and reptiles, and 50 plant species. In this comprehensive blog, we will talk about some of the animals you will see in this protected area of the desert.

Spot These Animals At The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve 

The DDCR preserves animals in an attempt to keep them from becoming endangered. There are a lot of luxury desert safari and glamping locations, which make this place 100 times better. So, here are some of the rare animals that you will get to see at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve:

Arabian Oryx 

The unicorn of the desert, or Arabian Oryx, is famous for being the national animal of Dubai. This animal was once considered extinct in the world. However, after the reintroduction program, the population of the Oryx in DDR has been raised from 100 to 450 successfully. You can identify them very easily as they have very distinctive features like a white coat, brown-blackish lower limbs, and dark patches on the face and nose. Other than that, they also have two slightly curved horns on top of their head.

Gazelles 

Gazelles are a very thin and graceful antelope that belongs to the deer family. There are two types of Gazelles- Arabian Gazelles and Sna Gazelles. In the last survey, it was found that DDCR has approximately 107 Sand Gazelles and 421 Arabian Gazelles. If you want to catch a sight of the Arabian Gazelles, then make sure that you visit the gravel plains around the Al Maha Resort and the water source. You can go for the Conservation Drive & Breakfast at Al Maha to spot these beautiful creatures. However, if you want to look at the Sand Gazelles, then make sure that you go at the isolated areas of the southern and northern areas of the reserve, where the human presence is not as much.

Sand Foxes 

Also known as the Rüppell’s Fox, the Sand Fox is another one of the rare animals that are found in the DDCR. Because they are desert-adapted carnivores, they are found extremely rarely. Other than them, you can also find some other varieties of foxes here, like the Arabian red foxes. The DDCR has been able to preserve these extremely rare species, as there are only 7 of them in the whole reserve. You can identify these sharp creatures by their distinctive physical characteristics. These foxes are relatively small and have a sandy coloured coat, sometimes with a grey morph if they are living in the rockier areas. Black markings around their eyes, a white snout, and white paws are some of them.

Falcons

The Falcon is one of the most mighty birds that are found in the deserts and are ingrained in the culture and history. These birds used to use these birds for hunting, and catching animals like gazelles, hares, and birds. The Falcons are still relevant in the present scenario as they serve as one of the most amazing attractions for the tourists. There are a lot of desert safaris like Heritage Falconry & Nature Safari, where you will get a chance to see Falconry shows.

Gordon’s Wildcat 

Gordon’s Wildcat is one of the lesser-known animals in the deserts. The population density of Gordon’s cat remains low, and it is very concerning for the DDCR authorities. The biggest danger is their interbreeding with feral or domestic cats, as it might lead to their extinction. There are very low chances that you will find them during your heritage desert safari. You can identify them with their distinct characteristics like their dense fur, dark markings on their heads, and stripes of dark colours on their body, limbs, and tail.

Conclusion

Located in the peace and tranquility of Dubai’s outskirts, you will get a chance to catch unparalleled views. Not only that, but you will also get a chance to catch rare desert animals roaming casually during the desert safari. Get an even better experience by booking heritage desert safaris with us. Not only do we provide you with a smooth booking process, but you will also get a chance to customise your package according to your requirements. Book your package with Desert Safari in Dubai today!