Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
- much to the excitement and
disbelief of local families whose
grandparents would tell them
how they once roamed the area
like flocks of sheep. Since their
reintroduction, the original eight
oryx have increased to 38 and
the original thirty gazelles to
three hundred. The ultimate goal
is to release them into the wild
again.
Talila will also be the home of
the odd-looking northern bald
ibis (famous for its punk haircut),
thought to be extinct for seventy
years until it was rediscovered
near Palmyra in 2002 by Italian
biologist Gianluca Serra and a
team of Bedouin hunters. The
reserve will house an enormous
aviary to breed these critically
endangered birds.
Simple accommodation and decent restaurants
are plentiful in Palmyra, the closest town to
Talila. The best budget option is the Ishtar
Hotel, which has welcoming staff and a casual
eatery dishing up home-cooked Syrian food.
The renovated Zenobia Hotel has the most
atmospheric location, with traditionally
decorated rooms and Palmyra's finest restaurant
with a terrace overlooking the ruins.
To get the most out of a trip to Talila, organize
your visit through Gianluca Serra of Ecotourism
Syria and BirdLife International, Syria's most
respected eco-tour operator, who can connect you
with local guides to drive you around the reserve
and point out wildlife. Don't forget to pack the
binoculars.
Arabian Oryx
179 onE STEppE AT A TIME, SyrIA
Palmyra - Queen Zenobia's ruined ancient city
- is a fixture on the itineraries of most travellers
to Syria, who set aside a few days to explore
the spectacular temples, visit the seventeenth-
century castle and kick back in the easy-going
oasis town nearby. But the vast majority
of visitors overlook Talila Nature Reserve,
just 20km away and in many ways equally
remarkable.
The local Bedouin call the stony semi-arid
area around Palmyra “Al Badia”, meaning
“the steppe”, but as desolate as the landscape
looks, it's actually home to a wealth of wildlife,
including 260 bird species. First established in
1996 to protect the area's rich biodiversity and
reverse desertification caused by overgrazing,
Talila consists of 1300 square kilometres of
nature reserve and strictly managed rangeland,
entrusted to three Bedouin communities who
work with environmental specialists.
Talila's main achievement has been the
reintroduction and breeding of two endangered
animals, the sand gazelle and Arabian oryx
Need to know Buses depart Damascus frequently
for Palmyra (3hr); from there you'll need to
arrange a driver or taxi to take you to the reserve.
Alternatively, hire a car in Damascus and drive
yourself. For more info see W www.ecotourismsyria.
com. Ishtar Hotel: W www.ishtarhotel.net; T +963
315 913 073. To contact Zenobia Hotel E cham-
resa@net.sy.
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