Photo:AWPRAl Ain Wildlife Park and Resort (AWPR) has announced the birth of a baby Addax Antelope (pictured). Born September 18th, this baby Addax represents a critically endangered species and AWPR’s international conservation efforts.The Addax originates in North Africa, and is recognisable by its distinctive spiralled horns. A member of the desert antelope family, the Addax is closely related to the Oryx. The species has seen a drastic decline over the past 21 years, with an estimated 80 per cent reduction in the total population – this massive decrease in numbers is due in largely to uncontrolled hunting, drought and habitat loss. There are now less than 300 Addax existing in the wild.
AWPR is home to 50 Addax. The birth of such a rare species is a significant achievement for the park, due to the fact that these animals are currently listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, an organisation which tracks endangered species and helps manage conservation efforts.
Only 1,600 Addax exist in zoos and private collections today. As such, any Addax birth is significant. Facilities such as AWPR that care for and breed the Addax are currently the animal’s only safety net. "We are extremely proud to be part of the conservation efforts aimed at ensuring these beautiful animals can exist", said Farshid Mehrdadfar, Manager of Animal Collections at AWPR.
AWPR is part of the Sahara Conservation Fund, an international species management program for this species, and is planning for future reintroductions. As part of this effort AWPR is initiating a DNA assessment of its Addax herd with a leading zoological society.
In the past, AWPR has actively participated in conservation efforts in many parts of the world. In March 2009, AWPR led an initiative to re-introduce the Arabian Oryx into the wild in Jordan. The Oryx, which is currently listed as an endangered species, disappeared from the area decades ago. AWPR, together with various other wildlife organisations, played a pivotal role in helping to release these animals into protected areas.
Based on the success of the initiative, AWPR has similar plans to re-introduce the critically endangered Scimitar-Horned Oryx into protected areas in Niger, Chad and Morocco. AWPR will be working closely with an international consortium to ensure their relocation into these areas. AWPR will be organising a series of workshops later this year to discuss the process of releasing into the wild the Scimitar-Horned Oryx and other endangered desert antelope.
Visitors can catch a glimpse of the baby Addax with its mother in the Addax exhibit near the education centre.
