Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve – in pictures

  • The Arabian oryx is the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve's most famous resident – and the UAE's national animal. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Arabian oryx is the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve's most famous resident – and the UAE's national animal. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • An Arabian oryx calf emerges from a dune on the reserve. The species has been brought back from the brink of extinction, in a huge conservation success story for the UAE
    An Arabian oryx calf emerges from a dune on the reserve. The species has been brought back from the brink of extinction, in a huge conservation success story for the UAE
  • Sand gazelles are perfectly adapted to the reserve's landscape
    Sand gazelles are perfectly adapted to the reserve's landscape
  • A sandfish skink leaves tracks in the sand as it crosses the desert
    A sandfish skink leaves tracks in the sand as it crosses the desert
  • The broom bush, or fire bush, dominates the landscape in the north of the reserve, providing vital shelter for many species
    The broom bush, or fire bush, dominates the landscape in the north of the reserve, providing vital shelter for many species
  • Round entrances to rodent burrows, under the shelter of a bush on the reserve
    Round entrances to rodent burrows, under the shelter of a bush on the reserve
  • The distinctive slot-shaped entrance to the burrow of a Leptien’s spiny-tailed lizard
    The distinctive slot-shaped entrance to the burrow of a Leptien’s spiny-tailed lizard
  • This seemingly barren landscape is in fact teeming with life
    This seemingly barren landscape is in fact teeming with life
  • However, it is a fragile ecosystem
    However, it is a fragile ecosystem