The Scimitar-horned Oryx was once extinct in the wild, but now it roams the Sahelian savannas again

Scimitar-horned oryxes were once widespread in North Africa. They lived in savannas and semi-deserts and were well adapted to hot and dry climates. However, in the 20th century, their numbers drastically declined due to uncontrolled hunting and habitat destruction.

By the end of the century, the species had almost disappeared. The last known photograph of a wild scimitar-horned oryx was taken in 1980 in the Aïr Mountains of Niger.

In 2000, the species was officially categorized as extinct in the wild. This meant that the animals were no longer seen in their natural environment, although they continued to live in zoos and private ecological parks.

After this, international conservation specialists began forming a population that could serve as a basis for the species' return to nature. The creation of a genetically diverse "global herd" in Abu Dhabi, composed of animals originating from populations in the USA, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates, played an important role.

The reintroduction program began in 2016. In March of that year, 25 scimitar-horned oryxes were flown from Abu Dhabi to Chad. They were placed in the Ouadi Rimé – Ouadi Achim Game Reserve, where the animals were to re-adapt to life in the wild.

Initially, the antelopes were kept in special enclosures, with their condition and behavior being monitored. Later, they began to be released into the reserve. Some animals were tracked using GPS collars.

The first group released into the wild consisted of 23 oryxes. The goal was not just to return individual animals, but to create a self-sustaining population that could reproduce without constant replenishment from captivity. Already in December 2016, the first calf was born in Chad.

Gradually, natural reproduction became the primary source of population growth. Since 2016, 285 captive-bred oryxes have been brought to Chad, but over 500 calves have been born in the wild during this time. By the end of 2023, the restored population exceeded 600 animals, although the initial goal of the program was to reach 500.

In November 2024, another 50 antelopes were brought from Abu Dhabi to Chad. Thus, the total number of animals reintroduced since 2016 reached 385. The 2024 report already indicated 580 oryxes born in the wild.

The population recovery also faced serious challenges. At the end of the 2024 dry season, unusually hot weather settled in the region, resulting in the deaths of over 100 scimitar-horned oryxes. Young animals and those recently released into the wild were particularly affected.

After the rains returned, the population began to recover. In December 2023, the species was moved from the "extinct in the wild" category to "endangered" in the Red List.

The restored population now lives in the Ouadi Rimé – Ouadi Achim Game Reserve – a large protected area in Chad's Sahelian savanna zone. The animals continue to be monitored using satellite systems and through field studies. Specialists study their movements, reproduction, distribution, and survival rates.

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