An oryx in the desert

I never expected to encounter an Arabian oryx within a few kilometres of the Bab Al Shams Hotel and Dubai International Endurance City.

One day, while coming down from a dune, I saw something huge appear by the side of a local under-tree called salam (Acacia ehrenberghiana).

Other than camels, we rarely see any large animals in the desert. I tried to drive as fast as possible to get a clear view of the animal through my Leica binoculars. And when I saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes. An Arabian oryx right in front of me!

It was a full-grown male and had some bruises. It must have escaped from captivity – or someone had deliberately released it in the desert. It also had no collars or tags on its body.

It was the first time I had seen an Arabian oryx roaming in a desert.