Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day – a symbol of saving species from extinction

This week sees the first International Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day in recognition of the decades-long work conservation organisations like Marwell Wildlife have done around the world to save the species from complete extinction.

The first ever annual awareness day was voted for by the public and Marwell is celebrating with special events on the day. Guests will be able to meet the scimitar-horned oryx keepers throughout the day, hear tales of the scimitar-horned oryx from a storytelling adventurer and Explorer and Premium members can meet Marwell’s Zoologist and International Studbook Keeper, Sophie Whitemore for a talk all about saving the species from extinction. That’s not all, the park will also have some dodo themed fun as part of their summer long event, Extinction, a world-first collection of extinct animals crafted from more than two million toy bricks.

The awareness day competition, run by the British Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), asked zoos and aquariums to nominate an overlooked species and our dedicated supporters voted to make Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day a reality.

Marwell has been working with the animal – a species of antelope with long, curved horns – since the gates first opened in 1972 and it’s a hugely successful story.

Indigenous to North Africa, the scimitar-horned oryx had completely disappeared from the wild by the 1990s due to over hunting, competition with livestock, and droughts. However thanks to Marwell and partners across the world, the species was reintroduced back into the wild, and as a result, they had a positive change in their conservation status from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered.

Dr Tania Gilbert, Head of Conservation Science at Marwell Wildlife, said: “When we were asked to choose an animal for its own awareness day,  it was obvious to us to put forward the scimitar-horned oryx. This animal was extinct across its former range and now its back in the wild. It’s the perfect example of what can be achieved when we all work together to save species.

“It may not be as well-known as tigers and elephants, but it’s a fantastic story showing that conservation does work and it does matter. It is a beacon of hope in the midst of global biodiversity and climate crises and proves that we can all make a difference.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see them in the wild in Tunisia and to know that together we helped save a species that otherwise wouldn’t be here today.”

In the competition, the scimitar-horned oryx fought off the Andean bear, Somali wild ass and lungfish among others before meeting harvest mice in the final and winning.

Sophie Whitemore, Marwell’s Zoologist and International Studbook Keeper for the species, said: “We are so pleased that scimitar-horned oryx will be recognised with its own international day.

“Not only will this bring more attention to a threatened antelope species but it will also act as an emblem for other Sahelo-Saharan species and showcase the important role zoos have in bringing species back from the brink of extinction.”

Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day, however, goes beyond one species. The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) is highlighting reasons to be hopeful about zoo conservation.

BIAZA CEO, Dr Jo Judge, said that “modern good zoos perform so many incredible feats for wildlife.

“Without them, many imperilled species and habitats would not have the safety net they so desperately need.

“It is our hope that by raising awareness for the scimitar-horned oryx and its story, we’re demonstrating the real difference that zoo and aquarium-driven conservation makes.”

Did you know?

• Scimitar-horned oryx get their name due to the shape of their horns which are shaped like a scimitar sword
• Antelope can go up to 10 months without drinking water
• They can smell rain from miles away and move towards it just as the grass starts to grow
• Their horns can grow up to 1.5 metres long – longer than they are tall