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Description
Scimitar Oryx
Endangered
Graphite/Graphitint
a4

Physical description

Close view of a scimitar oryx in the Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria, Australia.
Scimitar oryx is a spiral-horned antelope that is just over 1 meter (3.8 ft) at the shoulder. Body mass can vary from 100 to 210 kg (220 to 460 lb). The body measures 140 to 240 cm (55 to 94 in) from the head to the base of the tail. The tail is 45–60 cm (0.99–1.3 lb) long, and ends with a tuft. Males are larger than females.

Its coat is white with a red-brown chest and black markings on the forehead and down the length of the nose. Calves are born with yellow coats and lack distinguishing marks which appear later in life. Their pelage changes to adult coloration at 3–12 months old. On a physiological level, the coat reflects the pale rays of the sun, while the black portions and tip of the tongue provide protection against sunburn. The white coat helps in reflecting the heat of the desert.

Both sexes bear horns, and the females are more slender. The horns are long, thin and symmetrical and curve backwards (a distinct feature of this species) and can reach a meter to a meter and a quarter (3.28 - 4.1 ft) on both the male and the female. The horns are so thin that they can break easily. They have long tails measuring 60 centimeters (2 feet). The female has 4 nipples. The large, spread hooves are well-adapted and allow these antelopes to walk on the sand of their dry habitat. A scimitar oryx can live as long as 20 years.

Status and conservation

Scimitar oryx were hunted for their horns, almost to extinction. Originally it began to decline as a result of major climatic changes that caused the Sahara Desert region to become dry. The northern population was mostly lost prior to the 20th century. The decline of the southern population accelerated as Europeans began to settle the area and hunting for meat, hides and horn-trophies increased. It is thought that World War II and the Civil War in Chad during the 1980s impacted heavily on the species through an increase in hunting for food.[3]

Where once they occupied the whole Sahara Desert, they are now considered to be extinct in the wild, with no confirmed sightings in the wild for over 15 years.[1] Although there have been unconfirmed sightings in Chad and Niger, these reports remain unsubstantiated, despite extensive surveys that were carried out throughout Chad and Niger in 2001-2004 in an effort to detect Sahelo-Sahara Desert antelopes. At least until 1985, 500 oryx were estimated to be surviving in Chad and Niger, and by 1988 only a few individuals survived in the wild.

A global captive breeding programme was initiated in the 1960s. In 1996, there were at least 1,250 captive animals held in zoos and parks around the world with a further 2,145 on ranches in Texas. In 2005, at least 1,550 captives were managed as part of breeding programmes and it is believed that more than 4,000 are held in private collections in the United Arab Emirates. As part of the reintroduction plans, there are fenced in herds in three reserves in Tunisia, one reserve in Morocco and two reserves in Senegal.

A female calf was born in the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute of the National Zoo in Front Royal, Virginia on April 16, 2010, increasing the Smithsonian's herd to 17.
(from:en.wikipedia.org)

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Description
Scimitar Oryx
Endangered
Graphite/Graphitint
a4

Physical description

Close view of a scimitar oryx in the Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria, Australia.
Scimitar oryx is a spiral-horned antelope that is just over 1 meter (3.8 ft) at the shoulder. Body mass can vary from 100 to 210 kg (220 to 460 lb). The body measures 140 to 240 cm (55 to 94 in) from the head to the base of the tail. The tail is 45–60 cm (0.99–1.3 lb) long, and ends with a tuft. Males are larger than females.

Its coat is white with a red-brown chest and black markings on the forehead and down the length of the nose. Calves are born with yellow coats and lack distinguishing marks which appear later in life. Their pelage changes to adult coloration at 3–12 months old. On a physiological level, the coat reflects the pale rays of the sun, while the black portions and tip of the tongue provide protection against sunburn. The white coat helps in reflecting the heat of the desert.

Both sexes bear horns, and the females are more slender. The horns are long, thin and symmetrical and curve backwards (a distinct feature of this species) and can reach a meter to a meter and a quarter (3.28 - 4.1 ft) on both the male and the female. The horns are so thin that they can break easily. They have long tails measuring 60 centimeters (2 feet). The female has 4 nipples. The large, spread hooves are well-adapted and allow these antelopes to walk on the sand of their dry habitat. A scimitar oryx can live as long as 20 years.

Status and conservation

Scimitar oryx were hunted for their horns, almost to extinction. Originally it began to decline as a result of major climatic changes that caused the Sahara Desert region to become dry. The northern population was mostly lost prior to the 20th century. The decline of the southern population accelerated as Europeans began to settle the area and hunting for meat, hides and horn-trophies increased. It is thought that World War II and the Civil War in Chad during the 1980s impacted heavily on the species through an increase in hunting for food.[3]

Where once they occupied the whole Sahara Desert, they are now considered to be extinct in the wild, with no confirmed sightings in the wild for over 15 years.[1] Although there have been unconfirmed sightings in Chad and Niger, these reports remain unsubstantiated, despite extensive surveys that were carried out throughout Chad and Niger in 2001-2004 in an effort to detect Sahelo-Sahara Desert antelopes. At least until 1985, 500 oryx were estimated to be surviving in Chad and Niger, and by 1988 only a few individuals survived in the wild.

A global captive breeding programme was initiated in the 1960s. In 1996, there were at least 1,250 captive animals held in zoos and parks around the world with a further 2,145 on ranches in Texas. In 2005, at least 1,550 captives were managed as part of breeding programmes and it is believed that more than 4,000 are held in private collections in the United Arab Emirates. As part of the reintroduction plans, there are fenced in herds in three reserves in Tunisia, one reserve in Morocco and two reserves in Senegal.

A female calf was born in the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute of the National Zoo in Front Royal, Virginia on April 16, 2010, increasing the Smithsonian's herd to 17.
(from:en.wikipedia.org)

Ref used from