The 35-year wild sheep project reviving the desert ecosystem
A small number of wild sheep relocated to the desert region years ago have grown over time, enabling the re-establishment of a natural habitat in the arid landscape.
The release of wild sheep into the arid region through a project launched thirty-five years ago, after they had been wiped out of the Desert Belt due to human activities, has radically altered the desert ecosystem and pioneered the return of dozens of different species to the area.
Return to the Desert Belt
The lineage of wild sheep, which was wiped out of the Desert Belt centuries ago due to unconscious human hunting and land occupations, was revived through a project launched by scientists exactly 35 years ago. Fifteen wild sheep released into the arid desert region have over time transformed into a giant population of hundreds of individuals, achieving significant success in the arid lands.
Adaptation Process to Harsh Conditions
To protect this resilient species away from its thousands-of-years-old habitat, sheep raised in special conservation areas in the 1980s were transported to the most barren points of the desert by helicopters and transport planes. Despite harsh conditions such as extreme heat and water scarcity, the animals successfully adapted to the environment.
The Ground-Changing Force
Moving in herds, the sheep triggered a natural transformation process by breaking the crusty surface of the desert with their hard and ossified hooves. Creating micro-depressions that allowed water to seep underground during rainy periods, the sheep forged natural water pools by digging up areas that remained moist.
Revived Desert Life
Thanks to these mini-oases created, dozens of different animal species such as gazelles, desert foxes, reptiles, and migratory birds have returned to the region. This ecological intervention carried out by the sheep directly contributed to the increase of biodiversity across the entire desert.
Development of Vegetation
The sheep played a critical role not only in the return of animal species but also in the resurgence of dwarf shrubs and endemic grasses. Grazing across areas spanning kilometers, the animals transformed the barren land back into a vibrant ecosystem by carrying plant seeds and enriching the soil with their manure.