Gazelle is desert's skittish, elusive icon and poets' enduring muse

Arab News

3 days ago

RIYADH: The skittish gazelle, revered in Bedouin culture, is a defining symbol of wildlife in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Arabian gazelle is known for its agility, alertness and extreme caution, according to a recent Saudi Press Agency report.
Gazelles are swift, reaching speeds of up to 100 kph in short bursts.
Beyond its physical traits, the gazelle has become a cultural symbol of beauty and elusive elegance in Arab tradition, the SPA added.
Poets have long compared their beloveds to the gazelle, immortalizing its qualities in verses from the pre-Islamic era to the present.
In popular heritage, the skittish gazelle represents 'the hunter's pursuit,' highlighting the skill required to track it in sandy terrain, the SPA report stated.
As a part of Saudi Arabia's biodiversity preservation efforts, the National Center for Wildlife and the Royal Reserves Council have launched initiatives to reintroduce gazelles into their natural habitats, to address their population decline.
These efforts fall within a broader national strategy to restore ecological balance and ensure the sustainability of wildlife, alongside awareness programs that promote the preservation of this vital natural heritage.
Earlier this month, NEOM reintroduced more than 1,100 animals, representing six species, to its expansive nature reserve, marking a major step in its broader mission to revive the region's natural balance.
As NEOM's regreening program progresses — with 4.7 million trees, shrubs and grasses planted so far — the 530 Arabian Sand Gazelles currently in the reserve are thriving on the returning natural vegetation, aided by the removal of heavy livestock grazing.
NEOM is also home to 223 Arabian gazelles, which are typically darker in color and more elusive, preferring to reside in foothills and rugged mountain terrain.