Let's talk "wildlife"

Link: http://www.djaniwildlife.co.za/challenge.html

As recent as a century ago, hundreds of thousands of desert-adapted antelopes roamed the Sahara and Sahel Deserts of Northern Africa. In fact, less than 50 years ago (1940), one of these magnificent antelopes, the scimitar-horned oryx, was a typical species of pre-desert steppes and grasslands bordering the desert, present in temporary herds of several thousands. Although able to survive in arid conditions without drinking water, they avoided the arid sand desert and plains utilised by the addax, except after rain encouraged new grass growth. This inability to penetrate the harsh sandy desert left them more vulnerable to human disturbances than the addax and as recently as the mid-1970’s, herds of a few hundred were still observed throughout its range. However, this amazing African antelope went from “endangered” in 1986, to “critically endangered” in 1996 and after there had been no definite evidence of its the survival in the wild for more than 15 years, this species was declared extinct in the wild in the year 2000!

The scimitar-horned oryx resembles the addax not only in the arid geographical distribution, but also in appearance, behaviour, diet and the fact that the ancient Egyptians domesticated them. Their temperature control and water-retention adaptations are similar to that of the addax and other desert antelope. They also have the same specialized kidneys that prevent excess loss of water through decreased urine production. This highly nomadic antelope have a highly accurate navigation sense to guide them across the desert and they also travel at night to minimise heat stress and to conserve water. At night they may glean water by licking condensed dew off each other’s coats.

Perfectly adapted to their harsh, arid habitat - but not to "manKIND's" automatic weapons and lack of respect for life!

A few causes that contributed to the scimitar-horned oryx extinction in the wild include: a sequence of severe droughts, human encroachment on their habitat for agriculture, uncontrolled hunting, competition with domestic livestock grazing on limited vegetation and civil war where this large oryx was a favourite food item of both rebels and government soldiers. To help save this unique oryx, a global captive breeding programme was initiated as far back as the 1960’s and by 2005 there were at least 1 550 captive animals held in managed breeding programmes worldwide. In addition, more than 4 000 animals are apparently in a private collection in the United Arab Emirates while there are also some on private game ranches in the USA. Although reintroduction projects have been initiated and animals have been released into fenced protected areas within their formal range, continued habitat destruction, general lawlessness, poaching and poor reserve management seem to make this a futile exercise.

This beautiful North African antelope, together with the critically endangered Addax and Dama gazelle, as well as the endangered Nubian Ibex and Barbary sheep (all endemic to North Africa), are bred in America in captivity on hunting farms for the sole purpose of sport trophy hunting.

THE MORE ENDANGERED THE ANIMAL - THE MORE MONEY A FEW GREEDING HUMANS ARE MAKING ...!!!