Scimitar Horned Oryx --- Chris Berridge
Scimitar-Horned Oryx
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(Oryx
dammah)
by Chris Berridge
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| Scimitar-Horned Oryx in Dallas Zoo - http://zoohoo.dallaszoo.com |
Description
and Ecology of Organism
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| Oryx Herd in Blanco, TX - https://fineartamerica.com |
The
scimitar-horned oryx, related to antelope, is mostly white with a light brown
neck, as well as brown spots on the face. The oryx has a pair of long, curved
horns, which have a sharp tip. Their hooves help them walk long distances in
desert environments. Their tail is bushy, and brown at the ends. Adults weigh
between 220 and 460 pounds, and their body length is about 7 feet. By getting
most of their water from plants, the oryxes can go for long periods of time
without drinking liquid water. The oryx has the ability to cope with a small
amount of water by being to easily withstand a 116 degrees Fahrenheit body
temperature. This conserves their body's water usage by not sweating as much.
Also, when desert temperatures drop at night, the oryx's body stores enough
heat to get them through the night.
Geographic
and Population Changes
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| Scimitar Oryx Location in Early 1900s - http://www.scirecordbook.org |
In
the early 1900s, several hundred thousand scimitar-horned oryxes were scattered
across Northern Africa. The African countries include Morocco, Tunisia,
Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Sudan. The population
in Africa eventually declined to the point where the oryxes became extinct in
the wild. By 1980, the oryxes were
completely extinct in Africa. Currently, the population is about 10,000 oryxes.
The current population of the species is largely due to the introduction in
South Texas, which has a similar desert climate to Northern Africa. Texas has
the largest of the population of this species now. The oryxes are owned by
private ranches, which are fenced. The population has been increasing in Texas.
Listing
Date and Type of Listing
Despite
the loss of population in Africa in 1980, it was until 2005 when the
scimitar-horned oryx was declared as an endangered species. Since the
population of the species shifted over to the United States, the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service believed that hunting programs can provide long-term
benefits to the survival of the species. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
declared that it was still legal to sell, hunt, and cull these animals on
private ranches. However, in 2012, new regulations were imposed to disallow hunting
of the oryxes. This regulation was later removed in 2017.
Cause
of Listing and Main Threats to its Continued Existence
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| Scimitar Oryx Hunt - http://www.allaboutexotics.com |
The
cause of listing was due to the eradication of the animal in Africa. Mass
overhunting, African droughts, and habitat loss has caused the population to
diminish. In 1979, 32 scimitar oryxes were brought over from Africa for a
captive breeding program. Today, more than 10,000 oryxes live in South Texas.
The 2012 regulations completely backfired because ranchers lost the economic
incentive of maintaining their herds for hunting purposes. These regulations
led to a massive slaughter right before the regulations were imposed because private
ranchers did not want to pay to maintain an animal that will no longer be
profitable. Since the regulations were removed in 2017, the private ranch
owners have became motivated again to manage their oryx herds. The oryx
population have a slow reproduction rate, with pregnancies lasting about 8
months. The oryxes Another concern would be the lack of genetic diversity
because 32 oryxes pretty much dictate the genetics of this species.
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Description
of Recovery Plan
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| Scimitar Oryx Mother and Child - http://coldcreekranch.com |
The hunting conservation efforts in Texas
have been doing well for the population of the species. The simple supply and
demand economics manage the conservation efforts, so if there are less species,
a hunt would cost more, creating a lower demand. Zoos, such as the Dallas and
Smithsonian Zoo, have their own herd that they manage, which also contributes
to conservation of the species. After hunting the oryxes became illegal, some
ranch owners donated some of their oryxes to wildlife conservation programs so
that they will no longer have the financial burden of managing the species. To
reintroduce the scimitar-horned oryx back into Africa, the Sahara Conservation
Fund, along with Abu Dhabi and Chad governments, have recently released 25
oryxes back into the original homeland. These oryxes have GPS tags that are
tracked to understand how the oryxes perform in their old environment. This
release is the first time scimitar-horned oryxes have roamed freely in Africa
in 30 years. Recently, this wild herd welcomed a new baby scimitar oryx,
revealing the success of the program.
What
Can You Do?
Some wildlife conservationists are
completely against hunting. Since most of the population of these oryxes are
managed by people who maintain their populations for profit, a complete ban of
hunting had a reverse effect on the oryx's population. Ranchers lost the
motivation to take care and manage their herds. Understanding that a complete
ban on hunting on certain species, especially the scimitar-horned oryx, can
have bad effects on the population. Ranch owners are motivated to keep their
herd populations to they can continually have a hunting income source.
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Other
resources
That is one gorgeous animal! I like the success story of the baby being born in the wild, great blog! -Michael Avila
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I loved all of the pictures! It was interesting to see that these animals can survive up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit. It was also interesting to learn that after hunting the oryxes became illegal, some of the ranch owners have donated their oryxes to wildlife conservation programs so that they will no longer have the financial burden of managing the species. It's good to see some positive change being made for this animal. - Bailey Barton
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how they have the ability to cope with a small amount of water by being to easily withstand a 116 degrees Fahrenheit body temperature. Nice to see how managing hunting is helping their population. - Zamantha Baraceros
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that the oryx actually went extinct in its original location, Africa, but was still alive (although endangered) in its introduced environment in Texas. Glad to see the animal return to Africa! -Audrey Bolesta
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting how they get their water primarily from the plants they consume rather than direct drinking from a stream or lake etc. It was sad to read about how over-hunting is the main threat to them. Hopefully their population numbers are on the rise in the near future.
ReplyDelete-Keaton Bates
I think its really interesting that they are using hunting as a management tool. I also really like the layout of your blog, and your pictures are really nice. I find it really interesting that they were introduced to Texas because they were only previously in Africa.- Grant Baldwin
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see an animal receive both food and water from the vegetation they eat, and not a separate drinking source. It is also incredible how well oryxes are able to manage their internal temperature at such intense heat. -Guillermo Avilez
ReplyDeleteVery organized layout! I learned a lot and now have something to talk about with my roommates! Thanks----Grant Anderson
ReplyDeleteI think its interesting they use hunting as a management tool. - Pierson Berry
ReplyDeleteSuper interesting read. Crazy that their internal body temperatures are 116 degrees. Good blog layout and pictures.
ReplyDelete-Shea Blackman