First Arabian oryx in 90 years Born in Saudi Arabia

A first in Saudi Arabia in 90 years: an oryx was born in King Salman’s Royal Reserve in the Northern Frontier Province. The young Arabian oryx was successfully released into the wild as part of the kingdom’s programme to reintroduce threatened species into their natural habitat.

The Arabian oryx, the largest land mammal native to the Arabian Peninsula, weighs around 80 kilograms. Also known as the white oryx, its mouth and legs are dark in colour.

The Arabian oryx, an endangered species

Hunting and capture have made the future of this large antelope precarious. Saudi ecologists have been working for several years to preserve the number of oryx in captivity, with a view to releasing them into the wild.

The kingdom was considering returning 1,200 oryx to their natural habitat, according to Ahmed Al Bouq, supervisor of the Saudi Wildlife Development Centre. About 7,000 animals currently in captivity will be returned to three regions of the kingdom in future campaigns.

A species that has adapted to the local climate

The Arabian oryx, one of four species of oryx in the world, is part of the cultural heritage of the region. The antelope can be distinguished from other oryx in the region by its long horns, which are thicker and shorter in males, as well as its large hooves and bushy tail.

The Arabian oryx has adapted to the harsh, dry desert environment for thousands of years, its white coat helping to reflect heat and lower its body temperature.