#Scimitar-horned oryx

[endlingmusings]

"An animal once considered extinct in the wild has seen its classification changed to “endangered,” signifying a remarkable comeback.  The scimitar-horned oryx has recovered its numbers thanks to the efforts of conservationists and zoos worldwide, and they can now be seen wandering the plains of Chad’s Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve after they were first reintroduced in August 2016. On December 13, the oryx, also known more simply as the scimitar oryx, officially saw its status changed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).  Between 2016 and 2022, 285 scimitar oryx have been released in the unfenced area, and a population estimate in September 2022 put the total number of the species at 575.   “The change from the previous category of Extinct in Wild is genuine, as it results from the successful re-establishment of the species in the wild,” the IUCN’s website reads. According to the Good News Network, who described the news as a “tremendous achievement,” the change of classification for the scimitar oryx is the first time any animal has moved from the “extinct in the wild” designation to “endangered.” Further research from the scientific journal Animals reveals that another animal, Przewalski’s horse, was downgraded from extinct in the wild to endangered back in 2011, but the feat is exceptionally rare regardless.  Upon hearing the news, the Zoological Society of London’s senior conservation biologist Tim Wacher said: “The return of the scimitar-horned oryx is the result of a long-term conservation effort for the species – following in-depth, careful preparation, and championed and supported by the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi.    “All Saharan antelope species are severely threatened, but this project is proof that with the right will and resources, we can secure a future for them all.”"

- Excerpt from "Scientists thrilled after horned animal once deemed extinct in wild upgraded to endangered species list: 'A tremendous achievement'" by Leo Collis.

[inatungulates]

Scimitar-horned oryx Oryx dammah

Observed by ruseva, CC BY-NC

[bjekkergauken]

Lion king: north africa DLC

[wachinyeya]

Thank you for your good news!! I also posted an article about these guys here: https://www.tumblr.com/wachinyeya/736546151829028864/extinct-in-the-wild-antelope-bought-back-from?source=share

Though this might be a better article with more info! I will admit that the apps I use to source most of my good news are not always 100%

I also have a friend @crimson-flamez who showed me this lovely pic they took of some oryx hanging out at their local FL zoo where they have a reintroduction program~

[nature-nerd-sarah]

I went to the Amsterdam zoo with my parents and sibling yesterday.

[snototter]

A scimitar oryx (Oryx dammah) scratches an itch in ARTIS zoo, the Netherlands

by safi kok

[hmtaxidermy]

Mounts from yesterday. I forgot to take pictures of the oryx before I added the carding (grey tubes), so enjoy a peak behind the scenes.

[purpleweredragon]

The scimitar horned oryx, (Oryx dammah), also called the Sahara oryx, was once widespread across North Africa, but in the 1980’s the population began to plummet - largely due to the antelopes being hunted for their horns and meat. In 2000, the species was declared Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN Red List.

Today its fate has been reversed – the first species from our Extinct in the Wild global initiative to be downlisted.

[minmocat]

ive decided to give ych.commishes a try with these two designs! check the links to bid! ^_^

lynx adopt: open

oryx adopt: open

[doom-dreaming]

went to the zoo today and saw a bunch of beasts (part 1)

[roachiezz]

dont talk to me (/nsrs) i saw my favorite animals the other day

[inatungulates]

Scimitar-horned oryx Oryx dammah

Observed by roylesafaris, CC BY-NC

[le-jardin-inculte]

the scimitar oryx news in particular. holy shit. holy fuck. that's big.

Previously, [Scimitar-horned Oryx] was listed as Extinct in the Wild (EW). The first group of Scimitar-horned Oryx was released back into the wild in Chad, in August 2016. The IUCN Red List Guidelines state that movement out of the Extinct in the Wild (EW) category can be done after a period of five years after being reintroduced or until viable offspring have been produced (whichever is the longer period). [...] Therefore, since the reintroduction has resulted viable offspring and more than five years have passed since the Chad population was reintroduced, this population (and the species) is now eligible for reassessment. Eight more releases have taken place since then. Between 2016 and 2022, 285 oryx have been released. The site is unfenced and the animals are fully free-ranging. The wild population estimate in September 2022 was 575 animals, but this estimate is accompanied by a very wide 95% confidence interval (227–1,452) due to the logistical and statistical issues inherent in censusing widely dispersed and clumped populations in extensive desert ecosystems. The lower 95% confidence limit indicates a minimum of 140–160 mature individuals. Using this conservative estimate, and based on the precautionary principle, Scimitar-horned Oryx is assessed as Endangered under criterion D. [...] The change from the previous category of Extinct in Wild is genuine, as it results from the successful re-establishment of the species in the wild.

(emphasis mine)

but they fucking did it!!! they arabian oryx'd it! it's just one population in one area that fully counts for the reassessment (though a couple more reintroduction attempts are ongoing), so it's like, you know, still a long way to go, but it's not exactly nothing to help an animal go from extinct in the fucking wild to regular endangered

continuing good luck to you, you funky horned creatures 🧡

Oh speaking of the Red List: saiga and scimitar-horned oryxes are no longer critically endangered! The IUCN recently updated its Red List of Threatened Species; they're now listed as Near Threatened and Endangered respectively.

[snototter]

A scimitar oryx (Oryx dammah) housed at the ARTIS zoo, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

by safi kok

[hmtaxidermy]