ABU DHABI: The species, once declared “Extinct in the Wild,” has now been reclassified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List, marking the first such achievement in over 20 years.

The initiative, inspired by the UAE’s conservation legacy under the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and launched under the guidance of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has seen the population of the Scimitar-horned Oryx grow to over 600 individuals in Chad’s Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Reserve—surpassing its initial target of 500.

Between 2016 and 2023, 285 Oryx were reintroduced into the wild, and the species’ success highlights the positive impact of EAD’s efforts in preserving desert ecosystems. The Oryx’s return has benefited other wildlife, including gazelles, vultures, and predators, underscoring its ecological significance.

EAD’s state-of-the-art breeding facility in Abu Dhabi and a genetically diverse “global herd” were integral to the programme’s success. Partners including the Sahara Conservation Fund, Smithsonian’s National Zoo, and Royal Zoological Society of Scotland contributed to this global conservation effort.