Nature reserves in Jordan

The primary purpose was to create means to breed endangered species, specifically: the Arabian oryx, gazelles, ostriches and Persian onagers in their natural environment.

The reserve consists of rolling hills in a Mediterranean-like environment, covered in evergreen oaks, as well as strawberry and pistachio trees, among others.

Stone martens, jackals, red foxes, striped hyenas, Persian squirrels, porcupines, and wolves inhabit this area.

The reserve, once a popular stopover for millions of migratory birds going from Africa to Eurasia, is now severely depleted due to over-pumping to support Jordan's growing population.

Water levels are maintained by RSCN in order to save indigenous fish species such as the Azraq Killfish and to keep the site a tourist destination.

The geography of the reserve is characterized by steep cliffs in rocky wadis covered by small trees and shrubs.

Animal inhabitants such as the Persian squirrel were main reasons for the establishment of the reserve and were considered top priority.

Trash, notably plastic, presents a major problem in the reserve, often the result of careless visitors.

Directly east of the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib is made up by a network of freshwater streams, making an otherwise arid area more fertile.

One of the main goals of the reserve has been to bring back locally extinct species, notably the Arabian oryx, into the wild.

Before the establishment of the reserve, hunting nearly annihilated local animal populations, a problem which RSCN has been successful in dealing with.