Dublin Zoo has welcomed a new arrival. A male scimitar-horned oryx was born at the zoo last week. The species is classified as extinct in the wild.
The calf weighs about 25kg and brings the herd at Dublin Zoo to a total of seven.
The scimitar-horned oryx was once widespread across northern Africa, but overhunting means they have gradually disappeared.
Commenting on the birth, team leader Helen Clarke-Bennet said, “We are so pleased to welcome our newest addition to the scimitar-horned oryx herd and recognise the impact this birth makes on the conservation efforts being made to protect this species."
"Both mother and calf are doing extremely well – we are delighted to report he was up and running about just one hour after birth".
Dublin Zoo houses a breeding group of scimitar-horned oryx and since 2013, has financially supported the reintroduction programme for the scimitar-horned oryx in Tunisia.
Through conservation breeding programmes, zoo-bred oryx have been reintroduced into semi-wild areas in four national parks across Tunisia.
Currently there are over 200 oryx in such semi-wild areas.
