Arabiese Gemsbok

Arabian Oryx

The Arabian Oryx is the smallest of the oryx species, native to the arid deserts and semi-desert plains of the Arabian Peninsula. Hunted to extinction in the wild by 1972, it survived only in captive breeding herds before being successfully reintroduced — one of conservation’s great comeback stories — and has since also become an established exotic trophy species on southern African game ranches.

Both sexes carry long, almost straight, rapier-like horns that can reach a metre in length, and a striking pure white coat offset by bold black-brown markings on the face and legs helps reflect the desert heat. Superbly adapted to extreme aridity, the Arabian Oryx can go for extended periods without drinking water, drawing moisture from the plants it grazes, and will travel long distances across open desert in search of fresh grazing after rain.