Jordan has a long history of environmental awareness, and the Shaumari Reserve, established in 1975, was the first wildlife reserve in the country. It was created for the purpose of preserving endangered species and for the re-introduction of locally extinct species through a breeding program. It is located 125km east of the capital Amman on 22 square kilometers of flat desert scrub, very near Azraq Wetland Reserve.

The first program was the re-introduction of the Arabian Oryx. Begun with eight animals flown to Jordan form a zoo in Phoenix, Arizona, the herd grew to well over 200 animals. In 2002, about 20 animals were transferred to a blind valley in Wadi Rum where they are observed by Reserve rangers.

Other animals being bred successfully at Shaumari are the Persian Onager (the wild ass), the ostrich and the goitered gazelle. Several countries have donated breeding stock and the breeding enclosures provide a small zoo for visitors and school outings. An observation tower in the reserve makes it possible to watch the animals without intruding upon them.

Other wildlife in the Reserve are the Cape hare, red fox, gerbil, striped hyena and wild cat, and a variety of snakes.

The reserve’s flora number around 16 medicinal plants which are used in traditional remedies. Seven plants are identified as rare, another seven are poisonous and are toxic to livestock, wild animals, captive breeding animals and humans. Seven edible species, 51 palatable species and three parasitic species and two endemic species have been recorded. All the plant species are familiar to the locals and have common names that everybody knows.

Reference: http://www.jtb.com.jo/brochures/eco_shumari.html; http://www.rscn.org.jo/