Captive Breeding Programs

By 1972, the last wild Arabian oryx was hunted. They were officially declared extinct in the wild. Yet, scientists estimate there are more than 1,000 in the wild today! How is this possible?

All thanks to a captive breeding program.

In the 1800s, Arabian oryxes roamed the deserts in the Middle East. Unfortunately, humans quickly took over their habitat and hunted them for meat and trophies. They were also taken from the wild and sold to private zoos. Before long, they were nearly extinct.

To save the Arabian oryx, a captive breeding program called Operation Oryx was started. The Phoenix Zoo in Arizona, USA was selected as a breeding center because it had a similar climate to the Arabian oryx's native habitat. Nine oryxes arrived at the Phoenix Zoo in the early 1960s and began breeding.

The population of Arabian oryxes in captivity grew quickly. Oryxes were sent to zoos around the United States to continue the breeding program. By the 1980s, their population was large enough that scientists began reintroducing them into the wild. An Arabian oryx from the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park was the first to be reintroduced in the Middle East!

The wild Arabian oryx population has grown, but they are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN because they still face many threats. Drilling for oil and gas and climate change has caused extreme habitat loss. They are also still hunted and poached outside of their protected areas. You can help protect Arabian oryxes by donating to the Fauna & Flora’s oryx conservation efforts and doing your part to stop climate change.