Sign up to our newsletter to be first to know about The Cultural Programme's latest news and events

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.

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.

Learn more about the More than Human exhibition.

Stay in the Loop

Sign up to our newsletter to be first to know about The Cultural Programme's latest news and events

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.