Two Arabian Oryx Calves Born at Phoenix Zoo

by Elite Reporter Brett Eymann

As the species of Arabian oryx continues to recover from a previous extinction, the Phoenix Zoo was happy to announce that two female calves were born at the zoo on Feb. 13.

The Arabian oryx is a white antelope with black across its nose and jaw and their legs are black too. They have long horns on their heads and some say the legend of the unicorn derives from the Arabian oryx. In 1960, the Arabian oryx was hunted for food and many believed there were magical powers in the horn. This led to their extinction in the wild by 1972.

“Operation Oryx” began in 1962 and the Phoenix Zoo joined with the Fauna and Flora International Society (FFI) and others to capture and save as many of this species as possible. By 1964 the Phoenix Zoo had nine Arabian oryxes and 30 years later the Arabian oryx was reintroduced into the wild. Currently there are about 1,200 Arabian oryxes in the wild and the species has gone from endangered to vulnerable. There are about 6,000-7,000 in captivity in zoos and animal preserves throughout the world.