Capturing a glimpse of an Arabian gazelle in the perfect spot isn’t easy
DRIVING AT THE NATIONAL SPEED LIMIT on a single carriageway can give you an insight into the dazzling speed of the Arabian gazelle, which can reach up to 60mph (97kmph). These impressive sprinters are found across the Arabian Peninsula, from the far south of the Arava Valley in Israel through Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where this photograph was taken in the desert.
The total population of Arabian gazelles is estimated to number well below 10,000 mature individuals – populations in the UAE are small and scattered. The major threats to the species are illegal hunting for meat and live capture for pets and private collections.
The Arabian Desert is the fifth largest desert in the world. Wild inhabitants of this hostile environment are well-adapted to survive. The Arabian gazelle emerges at night to feed on mainly Cyperus sedges and obtain water from dew, making an encounter with one a rare and special occurence indeed.
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
“We jumped out of the car and ran”
Wildlife photographer Khaldoon Aldway spotted this Arabian gazelle after a long day of scouting in the desert. “My buddy and I were very tired and looking forward to reaching our camp and relaxing,” he says. “We noticed a silhouette on the horizon, and we jumped out of the car and ran, trying to compose a shot of the gazelle with the sun setting behind the dunes.”