Endangered addax's birth boosts conservation efforts

Al Ain: A critically endangered addax has given birth to a baby at Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, bringing happiness to a zoo administration that regards it as an achievement in conservation efforts.

The African addax antelope, a member of the desert antelope family, has been facing a drastic decline in its population over the past 21 years. An estimated 80 per cent reduction has been recorded due to uncontrolled hunting, drought and habitat loss.

"There are now less than 300 addax existing in the wild," said a park spokesperson.

The baby addax was born on September 18 and has been doing well. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the baby addax with its mother in the exhibit area located near the education centre of the park.

The animal, which is closely related to the oryx, can easily be recognised with its distinctive spiralled horns. Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort is home to 50 addax and the birth of such a rare species is a significant achievement for the park, said the spokesperson.

In the Red List

The animals are currently listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List.

The IUCN is an organisation that tracks endangered species and helps manage conservation efforts internationally.

Some 1,600 addax exist in zoos and private collections worldwide.

"We are extremely proud to be part of the conservation efforts aimed at ensuring these beautiful animals can exist," said Farshid Mehrdadfar, manager of animal collections at Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort.

He said Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort is a part of the Sahara Conservation Fund. As part of this effort, the park is initiating a DNA assessment of its addax herd with a leading zoological society.

Based on the success of the initiative, the park has plans to re-introduce the critically endangered scimitar-horned oryx into protected areas in Niger, Chad and Morocco.

"The park will be working closely with an international consortium to ensure their relocation into these areas," he added.