Discover Bahrain's Wildlife: A Diverse Kingdom

Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, comprising 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. The country is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and marine life. The national animal of Bahrain is the Arabian oryx, which, after becoming extinct in the 1970s, was reintroduced and is now classified as vulnerable. The country has five designated protected areas, four of which are marine environments, to preserve the plant and animal species that inhabit them.

Native animals of Bahrain

Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, comprising 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. The country's wildlife is predominantly flora and fauna, with a variety of native animals.

Bahrain's national animal is the Arabian oryx, which was hunted to extinction on the island. However, the species has been reintroduced to the Hawar Islands, a group of islands that are part of Bahrain. The Arabian oryx is a large antelope with long, straight horns, a horse-like neck, a thick mane, and a compact, muscular body.

The country is also home to other mammals, such as gazelles, including the goitered gazelle and Persian gazelle, and desert rabbits or hares. The largest terrestrial mammal in Bahrain is the sand gazelle, which can be found on the privately owned island of Umm an Nasan, as well as on Bahrain Island and the Hawar Islands.

The Arabian hare, the desert hedgehog, the long-eared hedgehog, and the Indian grey mongoose are also native to Bahrain. The lesser Egyptian jerboa, a nocturnal desert resident with unusually large legs, is another small rodent that can be found in the country.

Bahrain has a diverse range of bird species, with more than 330 species recorded in the archipelago, 26 of which breed in the country. The western reef heron, the Socotra cormorant, and the sooty falcon are among the notable bird species in Bahrain. The country's national bird is the bulbul.

In addition, Bahrain is home to marine mammals and reptiles, such as dugongs, sea turtles, and dolphins. The country has banned the capture of sea cows, marine turtles, and dolphins within its territorial waters since 2003. The Hawar Islands, designated as a Ramsar site, provide important feeding and breeding grounds for migratory seabirds and are known for their extensive coral reefs.

Endangered animals of Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a small nation in the Persian Gulf made up of several islands. The largest is heavily urbanised, but there is still a wide variety of wildlife to be found, including several endangered species.

One of the most famous endangered animals in Bahrain is the Arabian oryx, which was hunted to extinction on the island in the 1970s. However, thanks to reintroduction and conservation projects, the species is now considered vulnerable, with around 1,200 alive in the wild today. The Arabian oryx is the national animal of Bahrain and can be spotted on the Hawar Islands or in the reserve area of Al Areen Wildlife Park.

Another endangered species in Bahrain is the dugong, a plump aquatic mammal that grazes on seagrass meadows close to the coast. The Persian Gulf is home to the second-largest population of dugongs in the world, with between 5,800 and 7,300 individuals. However, oil spills, entanglement in fishing nets, and illegal poaching have caused a significant decline in their population since 1950.

The goitered gazelle, also known as the black-tailed gazelle, has also been reintroduced to the Hawar Islands. This species is considered vulnerable by conservationists, with a global population of between 40,000 and 50,000 mature individuals. The Arabian sand gazelle is another vulnerable species, with a total population of less than 3,000 worldwide.

Other endangered animals in Bahrain include the ocellated eagle ray, which is threatened by human activity, and the globally endangered bird species Chlamydotis undulata, which is a regular migrant to the islands in the autumn.

National animal of Bahrain

The national animal of Bahrain is the Arabian oryx, also known as the Oryx leucoryx. This animal was chosen for its strength and beauty, and is native to the Sinai, Palestine, the Transjordan, much of Iraq, and most of the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian oryx is a desert antelope with a nearly luminous white coat, brown undersides and legs, and black stripes on its forehead, nose, and where its head meets its neck. Its tail is black, as are the tips of its ears. Its horns are long, straight, or slightly curved, and ringed. Both male and female oryxes have horns, which can grow to between 50 and 75 cm (20 to 30 inches) in length.

The Arabian oryx is a herbivore, eating grass, sedges, woody plants, shrubs, and tree bark such as willow, sage, rabbitbrush, and desert holly and cactus. They are outgoing animals, forming herds of between five and thirty individuals, though herd size can increase if conditions are favourable. Arabian oryxes are polygynous, meaning that males mate with multiple females during a single mating season. Females have a gestation period of 240 days, giving birth to a single calf (known as a lamb) per year. Oryxes have a lifespan of up to 20 years.

The Arabian oryx was hunted to extinction on the island of Bahrain, but it has since been reintroduced.

Number of animal species in Bahrain

Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, comprising 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. The country is home to a variety of animal species, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and marine life.

More than 330 species of birds have been recorded in the Bahrain archipelago, with 26 breeding in the country. The many islands and shallow seas of Bahrain are globally important for the breeding of the Socotra cormorant, with up to 100,000 pairs recorded over the Hawar Islands. The country's national bird is the bulbul. Millions of migratory birds pass through the region in the winter and autumn months, including the globally endangered species, Chlamydotis undulata.

In terms of mammals, there are 17 or 18 species found in Bahrain, including gazelles, desert rabbits, and hedgehogs. The Arabian oryx, the national animal of Bahrain, was hunted to extinction on the island.

Twenty-five species of amphibians and reptiles have been recorded, along with 21 species of butterflies and 307 species of flora. The marine biotopes are diverse and include seagrass beds, mudflats, and coral reefs. Seagrass beds are important foraging grounds for some threatened species, such as dugongs and green turtles. Bahrain has banned the capture of sea cows, marine turtles, and dolphins within its territorial waters since 2003.

The Hawar Islands, designated as a Ramsar site in 1997, provide valuable feeding and breeding grounds for migratory seabirds. They are also home to the largest breeding colony of Socotra cormorants in the world and the second-largest aggregation of dugongs after Australia.

Bahrain has five designated protected areas, four of which are marine environments. These areas play a crucial role in conserving the country's diverse wildlife and ecosystems.

Where to see animals in Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain is home to a variety of animals, from birds and reptiles to mammals and marine life. Here are some of the best places to see these fascinating creatures:

Al Areen Wildlife Park

Al Areen Wildlife Park is a zoo and breeding centre for endangered animals, located in Sakhir. It is the only protected area on land in Bahrain and is managed on a day-to-day basis. The park covers seven square kilometres and was established in 1976 to tackle the problem of disappearing natural habitats due to development. Here, you can see animals such as the Arabian Oryx, Addax, and Reem Gazelle, which are indigenous to the island. The park also provides an educational experience, allowing visitors to learn about other species from different parts of Africa and Asia.

Royal Camel Farm

Camels are considered indigenous to Bahrain, and the Royal Camel Farm offers a glimpse into their world. Located on the Janabiya Highway, the farm is easily accessible and provides a suitable environment for these domesticated animals. Camels have long been important to Bahrain, providing milk, meat, hair, and fuel for their owners.

Hawar Islands

The Hawar Islands, located close to the coast of Qatar, are a designated Ramsar site, recognised for their importance as a wetland habitat for international wildlife. The islands provide feeding and breeding grounds for migratory seabirds, and the breeding colony of Socotra cormorants here is the largest in the world. The Hawar Islands are also home to the second-largest aggregation of dugongs, a marine mammal that feeds on seagrass. Additionally, the islands offer a chance to see the reintroduced goitered gazelle and Arabian oryx.

Persian Gulf

The Persian Gulf, which surrounds Bahrain, is a great place to spot migratory birds and marine life. Millions of migratory birds pass through the region during the winter and autumn months, including the globally endangered species, Chlamydotis undulata. Keep an eye out for sea cows, porpoises, and dolphins, which can sometimes be spotted off the coast.

Northern and Western Bahrain

The northern and western parts of the main island offer a different experience, with irrigated land supporting the cultivation of date palms, citrus trees, and alfalfa. This region is home to the Tree of Life, a 400-year-old Prosopis cineraria tree surrounded by desert. It is also a great place to spot birds, with species such as sandpipers, curlews, and plovers visiting the cultivated areas and marshes.

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