The Arabian Tahr: A Mountain Ungulate in Need of Protection

The Arabian tahr (Arabitragus jayakari) is a small, stocky wild goat endemic to the Hajar Mountains of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. It is the smallest of the three tahr species and the only one found on the Arabian Peninsula, making it an irreplaceable component of the region’s biodiversity.

IUCN Status

The Arabian tahr is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Estimates suggest fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remain in the wild, and the overall population trend is one of decline.

Ecology

Arabian tahrs inhabit steep, rocky terrain. They are primarily browsers, feeding on grasses, shrubs and the leaves of small trees. They are generally solitary or found in small groups, and females typically produce a single kid each year.

Geographic Range

The species is restricted to the mountains of northern Oman and the eastern UAE. Its range is naturally fragmented by wadis and lowland desert, and human development has further isolated subpopulations across the Hajar mountain chain.

Threats

Key threats include habitat degradation from overgrazing by domestic livestock and feral goats, illegal hunting, road construction through mountain passes, and the encroachment of urban development into formerly remote areas. Climate change may further reduce water and forage availability.

Our Commitment

Through the charitable arm of Evolutionary Ecology, Nature for People and People for Nature, the company is committed to the conservation of the Arabian tahr and its mountain habitats. We are developing a long-term conservation research plan focused on population monitoring, habitat assessment and connectivity analysis across the Hajar range. In parallel, we are preparing applications for conservation grants to fund field surveys and community engagement in key tahr areas.

If you would like to support this work — whether through a financial donation or by volunteering your time and skills — please contact us at evolutionaryecology@outlook.com. Every contribution helps protect this remarkable species and the rugged landscapes it calls home.