Twenty five Scimitar Horned Oryx (SHO) have arrived safely to their natural habitat in Chad as part of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Government of Chad reintroduction programme.

This initiative aims to create a healthy and viable population of up to 500 Scimitar Horned Oryx in an isolated natural reserve within the Oadi Rime-Oadi Achim Game Reserve in Chad, which extends over an area of 77,950 square kilometres.

The first shipment of Oryx, will be held in a large fenced area to acclimatise prior to being released into the wild after the commencement of the rainy season when pasture is at its most abundant (summer 2016).

Initially every single Oryx released will be fitted with a satellite collar. Data from these collars will be monitored by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Washington D.C. This data will be used to track and help protect individuals and also to gather behavioural data on the species, which in turn can aid further species reintroduction efforts.

EAD has also trained a team of wildlife experts and rangers on the ground in the reserve to monitor the Oryx and conduct community outreach programmes to ensure their continued protection.

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of EAD said, "Inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and efforts to protect endangered species and sustain them in their natural habitat, the Scimitar Horned Oryx Reintroduction Programme was initiated on behalf of the government of Abu Dhabi in close collaboration with the Government of Chad. This is possibly the world’s most ambitious large mammal reintroduction programme and a huge step in the field of conservation."

"This project is a reminder that species conservation not only crosses boundaries in its global nature, but it unites peoples and humanity. Today and under the guidance of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s representative in the Western Region and chairman of EAD, the first of a genetically strong herd of Scimitar Horned Oryx is transferred to Chad. In this transfer, we share the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed and unite the aspirations and hopes of the people of the UAE, Chad and the international community in bringing back a magnificent species from the grips of extinction" she added.

Al Mubarak also noted that "In an effort to ensure maximum diversity and quality of stock for reintroduction, EAD is establishing a "World Herd" of Scimitar Horned Oryx in Abu Dhabi at the Deleijah Breeding and Conservation Centre. This includes the original collection of the late Sheikh Zayed and selection of a variety of Oryx from 16 institutions from several European countries, the United States, and the UAE where EAD is carefully managing the herd, working on breeding the species to enhance and strengthen the gene pool for eventual release into its distribution range in protected areas around the world- of which Chad would be the first destination."

Source:WAM