Mammals of North Africa and the Middle East (Pocket Photo Guides)

(Elliott) #1

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available. Scimitar-horned Oryx once lived in herds of 20–40 animals,
and several hundred animals would gather in areas where rain had
fallen. They were subject to frequent nomadic movements in search
of grazing. A single 15 kg calf is born after a 242–56-day gestation
period.


Distribution and Status This species once occurred across much
of the Sahel and penetrated deep into the Sahara. It may now be
extinct in the truly wild state, but remnant populations may survive
in northern Niger and Mali. Large captive populations are held and are
being used in reintroduction programmes.


Conservation Areas Souss-Massa NP (Morocco); Bou Hedma NP
(Tunisia); Tripoli R (Libya).


Long, swept-back horns are a characteristic of this species


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