Baby oryx born at Arabian Nights Village

Arabian Nights Village, the digital detox glamping resort in the Khatim desert halfway between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, has welcomed its latest resident – a baby oryx named Moutaib (‘quite a handful’ in English) by staff after its troublesome birth.

Moutaib, who will remain sandy in colour until his coat turns luminous white and his underbelly, head and neck sport black stripes on maturity, arrived after a lengthy labour with the attendant veterinary surgeon despatching the mother to an Abu Dhabi veterinary hospital for further treatment seven hours after his birth.

The troublesome youngster and mother are now doing well at the village, where they are part of a herd including five other oryx, the UAE’s national animal.

Naturally, Moutaib is winning the most admiring glances.

“He’s certainly the centre of attention for many of our guests,” said Village Manager, Rashad Koudsi.

“Many people want photos of him and have asked to be kept informed of his progress after they leave, which we will do.”

Arabian Nights Village keeps the herd of Arabian oryx – a species saved from extinction by worldwide conservation and breeding programmes including several initiatives in the UAE - to enable guests to get up-close to the beautiful desert antelopes.

The village, where day guests are welcomed on desert safaris and overnight accommodation in fully furnished, air-conditioned tents and mud or palm frond (barasti) homes, also keeps a herd of sand gazelles.

“The village is designed to give people a true taste of the desert but in comfortable surroundings and these two animals, being a key part of desert life, add to the experience,” said Koudsi.

The Arabian oryx is believed to have given rise to the legend of the unicorn when an injured oryx with only one horn was spotted through an early morning desert mist.

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