The Shaumari Reserve was formed in 1975 by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature as a Breeding Centre for endangered or locally extinct Wildlife. Today, Shaumari follows these Breeding Programs along with a number of other world leading Wildlife Parks and Zoo’s, this relatively small, (22 sq/km) Reserve is a thriving protected environment for some of the most rarest species of animals in the Middle East.

Oryx, Ostriches, Gazelles and Onagers are represented here and depicted in many 6th Century Byzantine mosaics. These rare creatures of wildlife are now rebuilding their populations and reasserting their presence within this safe haven. They are protected from hunting and habitat destruction, which had almost wiped them out at one stage.

The Oryx can often be seen roaming freely in the desert grassland, and the Ostriches, Gazelles and Onagers can be observed in their enclosures within the Park. Shaumari's breeding enclosures provide a small "Zoo" for visitors to view, making the Reserve a popular spot for children and school outings.

Wild Life

The Shaumari area once contained an abundance of large animals, including Gazelles, Oryx, Onager, Ostrich, Cheetah, Hyena and Wolf. While most of these animals had once disappeared from Shaumari altogether, they are now a part of the pioneering wildlife re-introduction program.

Visitors' Centre

Shaumari's Visitors' Centre contains a small Museum and shows Interactive material including slide shows and videos about the History and Wildlife of the Reserve. A playground and picnic area is available for use which is located outside the premises of the centre.

Observation Tower

The Observation Tower provides eager animal watchers with a perfect location for spotting the Reserve's Wildlife. The best times to observe the Oryx in it’s natural environment is in the early hours of the morning.

The Oryx Story

The Oryx, is an elegant white antelope and is one of the few mammals indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula . In around the 1920’s they became extinct to Jordan. The modern day hunter with his increased range and high powered rifles, the motorized vehicles soon resulted in the extinction of these animals. They were primarily hunted for their meat, their coat and horns. The last known wild Oryx in the world was killed by hunters in Oman in 1972.

Most fortunately in 1962, the Flora and Fauna Preservation Society and the World Wildlife Fund launched an International Rescue effort known as “Operation Oryx”. In the USA, a world survival herd was established with three animals from Oman, one from London, one from Kuwait and four from Saudi Arabia.

Over time this herd increased in numbers steadily. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature made a proposal that the Oryx be re-introduced into its native natural habitat in the Arabian Desert.

In 1978, eleven Oryx were re-located to Shaumari. The numbers have increased phenomenally and has been a real success. It has allowed Jordan to now supply other countries which are conducting re-introduction programs.

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