undertaken to assess population size, and future work should include 
some telemetry, both conventional and satellite. 
Mahazat as Said 
This is a large fenced desert/semi-desert reserve (c. 2200km^) on the 
central plateau 200km northeast of Taif. Habitats are predominantly 
sand and gravel plains, though in places the area nov^ resembles African 
savannah, with Acacia and Maerua trees, shrubs and grasses recovering 
well after good rains and protection from domestic livestock. Mahazat is 
the focal site in Saudi for the reintroduction of native ungulates - so far 
both Arabian Oryx and Sand Gazelles have been re-established and are 
breeding successfully in the reserve. The site has also been used for some 
reintroduction trials with Houbara, though the habitat is not ideal and 
only small numbers of birds have been used. However, the successful 
breeding year at NWRC in spring 1992 means that more comprehensive 
releases and follow-up work on Houbara will be undertaken from 
summer 1992 onwards. The site will probably feature strongly in feasibility 
studies and subsequent reintroduction of Red-necked Ostriches. 
Perhaps the most important bird species utilizing Mahazat is the Lappet- 
faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus. At least 100 have been recorded roosting 
in the safety of the reserve, both in trees and on the ground, together with 
smaller numbers of Griffon Gyps fulvus and Egyptian Vultures Neophron 
percnopterus. They forage mostly on carrion (domestic livestock) outside 
the reserve. About 10 pairs of Lappets breed in the reserve; in 1992 six 
nests were monitored in detail, from which four chicks fledged. Eggs are 
laid in December and fledging does not take place until June. A 
postgraduate study has just begun on the feeding ecology and ranging 
behaviour of the scavenging bird community (including Brown-necked 
Raven Corvus ruflcollis). Also, a monitoring programme of the small 
passerine community is being established. Hoopoe Lark Alaemonalaudipes, 
Dunn's Eremalauda dunni and other typical ''desert" larks breed in 
considerable numbers. 
Wadi Turabah/Jebel Ibrahim 
The wadi and jebel are situated in the northern Asir mountains 
approximately 100km south of NWRC The site has no formal protection 
as yet, but we hope this will be achieved soon. Wadi Turabah is a fairly 
narrow valley approximately 55km long, with a fairly major, perennially 
running, water course flowing inland. Thus, a wide variety of relatively 
lush, well-vegetated habitats are present, including reedbeds, grassy 
terraces. Acacia woodland and palm groves. Jebel Ibrahim is an area of 
spectacular montane scenery, centred around a granite plateau rising to 
2600m. The domes and cliffs are reminiscent of Yosemite and the 
intervening slopes are relatively well wooded. 
3 
