World_of_Animals_Issue_46_2017

Conserving
THE
scimitar-horned oryx
What are the options when
an animal is classified as
Extinct in the Wild? A
reintroduction scheme
proved a lifeline for these
African grassland natives
with elaborate horns and a
resilient spirit…
Words Ella Carter
The scimitar-horned oryx cuts an impressive silhouette.
With long, lean legs and a lithe, athletic body, it’s a
graceful beast that now roams almost exclusively across
grassland plains in central Chad. The oryx’s defining
feature are its almighty horns. Curving dramatically away
from its skull, adorned with delicate ridges and tapering
to a fine point, it’s very clear to see how this animal got
its name. The scimitar, a long, curved blade originating
from the Ottoman Empire, is an impressive weapon, and
these graceful animals are kitted out to wield two of these
‘swords’ simultaneously, albeit in horn form.
The scimitar-horned oryx species is one of four
members of the oryx genus along with the Arabian, east
African and gemsbok. The scimitar-horned variety was
once widespread across the Sahelian grassland system – a
narrow strip of land that stretches from the Atlantic in the
west of Africa to the Nile. However, thanks to numerous
factors, they are now classified as Extinct in the Wild.
This classification is defined by the IUCN as a species
where the only living members are kept in captivity or as
a population living outside the perimeters of its historic
range.
To combat this, dedicated reintroduction programmes
are now in effect, with captive-bred oryx being released
into protected reserves. Schemes like this ensure that,
with a bit of luck, there will still be wild oryx roaming the
Sahel in years to come.
The Oryx Reintroduction Programme in Chad does
precisely what it says on the tin. It’s a dedicated initiative
to return these amazing antelope to live freely in their
home range where they belong, but have been absent
for nearly 50 years. Jointly run by the Government of
Chad and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (with
the on-the-ground implementation of the project carried
out by the Sahara Conservation Fund), the reintroduction
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