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Tahr Distribution Research The endemic Arabian Tahr, Hemitragus jayakari, is endangered and may well become extinct in the United Arab Emirates in the near future. Thus, research into this rare ungulate is essential. Many people believe that the Arabian Tahr is already extinct in the UAE. This is due to them rarely being observed. In actual fact, the first documented sighting of them in the UAE was in 1949 on Jebel Hafit and in 1995 in the Shumayliyah range. Since then they have rarely been sighted. In May 2000 specimens were again spotted on Jebel Hafit (Xavier Eichaker) and in the Shumayliyah Mountains (Mike Smith). Photographic records of these sightings have been made. Attempts are now being made to determine how many animals still exist in the UAE as an accurate estimate has never been made. Though these animals are high in number in Oman, it seems that in the Northern edges of their range the number of individuals decreases significantly. The exact reasons for this are unknown. However, competition for grazing and hunting pressure are restricting the growth in population. These two issues are the most pertinent, if there is any hope of saving the Tahr in the UAE. It is only through investigating the distribution of Arabian Tahr that measurements can be taken of habitat requirements. With this type of research we aim to be able to predict where Tahr will occur. This type of information can then be used to answer questions regarding the presence or absence of Tahr in specific habitats. We can then formulate proposals for the management of Tahr populations and their habitat. So far, Tahr populations seem very localised and may be isolated from each other entirely. This spells disaster for the Tahr in the UAE. When populations are as isolated as this, depreciation in genetic variation occurs within the population. Consequences of this are an increased susceptibility to disease and a decrease in fecundity. Both of these factors can rapidly lead to the extinction of the Tahr populations. Investigating the movement or migration of Tahr between populations will enable us to get an idea of how isolated they are genetically. From these estimates the degree of inbreeding can be made and we can then propose and implement further management decisions. However, this research requires the repeated recognition of individuals from various habitats. As Tahr are so rarely seen and individual characteristics are not easy to identify, this may be impossible. Expensive and sophisticated equipment such as satellite tracking collars can be used to obtain more detailed information from which the same management decisions can be made. It is hoped that we can embark on this next phase of this research in the near future.
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