A stunning and resilient antelope that once roamed the hot, dry deserts and grasslands of North Africa. This animal is built for survival in some of the harshest environments on Earth. With its sleek white coat that reflects the sun’s rays, reddish-brown markings on its neck and chest, and those dramatic, swept-back horns that can grow up to 1 meter (3 feet) long, the scimitar oryx is truly a desert beauty. Both males and females grow these horns, which they use for defense and establishing dominance within the herd.

One of the most impressive things about the scimitar oryx is how well it has adapted to life in extreme heat and dryness. It can go for long periods without drinking water by getting moisture from the plants it eats, such as grasses, herbs, and leaves. Its body can even let its internal temperature rise during the day to avoid sweating and conserve water — a rare and clever trick in the animal kingdom. These oryxes are nomadic by nature, traveling in herds to find food and shelter, and they tend to rest during the hottest parts of the day, becoming more active in the cooler mornings and evenings.

Sadly, despite their incredible adaptations, scimitar oryxes became extinct in the wild by the early 2000s due to overhunting, habitat loss, and competition with livestock. Their horns were especially sought after, and many were killed for trophies or meat. Fortunately, they have survived thanks to breeding programs in zoos and wildlife reserves around the world. Today, thanks to conservation efforts, small herds of scimitar oryxes have been successfully reintroduced to protected areas in places like Chad and Tunisia, giving hope that this desert antelope can once again thrive in its natural habitat.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Algeria

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Burkina Faso

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Chad

>600

Official estimate

EN

2022

Reintroduced

Egypt

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Libya

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Mali

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Mauritania

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Morocco

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Niger

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Nigeria

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally, Origin Uncertain

Senegal

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Sudan

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Tunisia

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally, Origin Uncertain