SCIMITAR-HORNED ORYX
Scientific name: Oryx dammah
Named for their long, curved horns that resemble ancient scimitar swords, the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) once thrived in the deserts and arid regions of North Africa. This atmospheric picture was actually photographed in captivity but is reminiscent of how they once roamed in large numbers in the wild. Remarkably adapted to survive in extreme desert conditions, these oryx could go for extended periods without water, relying on the moisture extracted from the plants they consumed.
Despite these incredible adaptations, the scimitar-horned oryx faced dire challenges due to human interference, leading to its extinction in the wild by the year 2000.
Fortunately, successful breeding programs in captivity paved the way for a hopeful resurgence. In 2016, scimitar-horned oryx were flown back to their native habitat in Chad. Since then, this species’ status has been downlisted from “Extinct in the Wild” (EW) to “Endangered” (EN) on the IUCN Red List, marking a significant step forward in its conservation.
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