Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 2, 2008

Cumberland, Ohio (Jan. 2, 2008) – A male scimitar-horned oryx, an endangered antelope species native to North Africa, has been moved from the Wilds in Southeastern Ohio to Tunisia as part of a repatriation effort of this rare species.

“We’re proud to be part of an important program involving national and international partnerships for species survival,” said Dr. Evan Blumer, executive director at the Wilds.

The scimitar-horned oryx from the Wilds was one of five males and four females sent to Tunisia from nine United States wildlife facilities.

The Wilds’ oryx arrived safely and was released into the Dghoumes National Park in Tunisia along with the others in December.

The U.S. animals were first moved in 2006 to the San Diego Zoo, the staging location, where the animals went through standard quarantine while logistics and permits for transporting the animals were resolved.

The scimitar-horned oryx became extinct in the wild in the mid 1970s, having formerly lived in large areas of arid habitats in North Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Nile. There are approximately 1,400 living in managed wildlife facilities worldwide.

Once a viable oryx population is established in the Dghoumes National Park, the Tunisian government will remove fences, allowing herds to migrate within its large national parks in hopes of creating a self-sustaining population.

In addition, surrounding communities will be encouraged to participate in conservation measures so that this species does not reach a grave population status in North Africa a second time.

“Opportunities to take animals from our carefully managed programs here back to their native lands are rare,” said Dan Beetem, director of animal management at the Wilds. “For so many species, the animals do not have the habitat or protection they would need to survive in the wild. This is one of the few instances where all the right pieces came together to make the repatriation possible.”

The scimitar-horned oryx is classified as endangered by the World Conservation Union, or IUCN, and is part of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The mission of an SSP is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species through organized managed breeding programs, cooperation between institutions, applied research, public awareness, and species reintroduction into secure natural habitats.

The Wilds participates in the SSP program in partnership with other wildlife facilities around the world, and served as a study site for setting standards of artificial insemination procedures for this species.

The nine oryx sent to Tunisia were selected by SSP coordinators based on the diversity of their genetic lines.

Characteristics of the scimitar-horned oryx include long, curved horns that sweep over its back, and a cream body color with light brown area on its chest and neck.

A herd of oryx remains at the Wilds and is viewable during a Safari Transport experience through open-range habitat where more than 25 other rare and endangered species from around the world can be viewed roaming freely.

The Wilds is open to visitors on select days May through October.

Situated on nearly 10,000 acres in southeast Ohio, the Wilds is one of the largest conservation centers in North America.

The mission of the Wilds, an independent, nonprofit organization, is to advance conservation through science, education, and personal experience. For more information, visit www.thewilds.org.