The Arabian Oryx were considered extinct in the wild
in 1972 due to poaching and habitat loss. Starting
in 1963 with only seven animals, the Phoenix Zoo led
efforts to breed the Arabian Oryx and reintroduce
the population to the wild. The Los Angeles Zoo joined
this effort in 1967, starting with just three animals.
The San Diego Zoological Society led the efforts to
bring animals from the USA to Oman for the first reintroduction
and have made a great contribution in terms of breeding,
research and field work.
Now there are more than 4.500 Arabian Oryx in Zoos
and wildlife preserves across the globe. More than
1.000 Arabian Oryx have been reintroduced in the Middle
East home range following international conservation
standards.
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