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Oryx Roars Back: Extinct in Wild Species Thrives in Chad
18 Sep
Summary
- Over 600 scimitar-horned oryx now roam Chad's wild.
- Species downgraded from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered.
- Reintroduction project exceeded population targets significantly.
A remarkable conservation success story is unfolding in Chad, where the scimitar-horned oryx has been successfully reintroduced.
Initially declared Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN in 2000, the species has made a significant comeback thanks to a concerted effort. In 2016, the first 25 scimitar-horned oryx were released into the Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve, marking their return to the wild after decades of absence.
The Scimitar-Horned Oryx Reintroduction Project, a collaboration initiated in 2014 by the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, along with the Government of Chad and Sahara Conservation, has been instrumental. Supported by various global institutions, the project has translocated 285 oryx into the reserve.
As of December 2023, the wild population has surpassed 600 individuals, with over 500 calves born since the reintroduction began. This success prompted the IUCN to reclassify the scimitar-horned oryx from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered.
The recovery efforts have also extended to supporting other species like addax and dama gazelle within the reserve. This milestone highlights the power of international collaboration in restoring species once thought lost forever, though ongoing monitoring remains vital.
