Endangered Species Guide : Mammals : Animal Planet

Endangered Mammals

Pictures: iStockphotos |

SCIMITAR-HORNED ORYX (Oryx dammah)

The scimitar-horned oryx is an antelope with curved, swordlike horns that grow to be several feet long. This graceful herbivore was once found throughout much of the desert plains and arid regions of Africa, but they are now extinct in the wild due to hunting and habitat loss. They are very social animals, and historically traveled together in large herds. There is currently an international effort to restore wild populations through captive breeding and reintroduction.

NEXT MAMMAL: Sea Otter »

IUCN Status: Extinct in the Wild
USFWS Status: Endangered
Major Threat: Hunting and habitat loss
Habitat: Arid steppe and desert
Location: North Africa
Diet: Leaves, grasses and fruit

Developed in partnership with

(R) WWF Registered Trademark.
Panda Symbol (C) 1986 WWF

Pictures: iStockphotos |

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTERS

HowStuffWorks | TreeHugger | Petfinder | PetVideo | Discovery Education

Visit the Discovery Store: Toys & Games | Telescopes | DVD Sets | Planet Earth DVD | Gift Ideas

By visiting this site, you agree to the terms and conditions
of our Visitor Agreement. Please read. Privacy Policy.
ATTENTION! We recently updated our privacy policy. The changes are effective as of September 10, 2008.
To see the new policy, click here. Questions? See the policy for the contact information.

Copyright © 2012 Discovery Communications, LLC.

The leading global real-world media and entertainment company.