Optimism for the Oryx

Optimism for the Oryx. . , What happened to the oryx? , Overhunting and competition from domestic cattle led to the decline of wild scimitar-horned oryx. By 1990, the only remaining oryx were in human care., Though still considered extinct in the wild, scimitar-horned oryx are making a comeback., What's the Good News? , Scimitar-horned oryx are being reintroduced to the wild. The first 25 oryx were released into a large protected area in Chad in 2016. The goal is to establish a self-sustaining wild population of at least 500 individuals., . Females are giving birth in the wild and the population is growing. , . Between 200 and 500 additional oryx will be released at intervals over the next few years. , . Field observations and data from GPS/satellite collars show the animals are healthy and doing well after release., What Does the Future Hold? , Research programs at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and in the field include careful monitoring of reintroduced populations. Conservation efforts are focused on building self sustaining herds of wild oryx and maintaining genetic diversity., . Our staff continue to support the work of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, the Government of Chad, the Sahara Conservation Fund, and others to release more animals. , . GPS/Satellite collars are used to monitor released oryx, tracking their movements and major life events like dispersal and calving. , . Genetic analyses are in progress to sequence the oryx genome, guide captive breeding programs, and improvise genetic diversity.