Arab Orix "out of danger"

2011/06/21 Kortabitarte Egiguren, Irati - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Zoologia

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Although the cream-colored Arab orix (Oryx leucoryx), with striking black branches, was in danger of extinction, experts from the International Organization for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have announced their return to the Arab Peninsula, the original habitat of this species.

Thus, it has gone from being in danger of extinction to being a vulnerable species on the IUCN list of endangered animal species. It's the first time something like that happens.

Today, about 1,000 Arab orix roam the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Jordan.

Photo: David Mallon