A healthy female Arabian oryx has been born at the zoo in the Mexican city of Mexicali, reports the veterinary portal Diario Veterinario. This species has completely disappeared from the wild due to hunting and loss of its natural habitats.
A female Arabian oryx, also known as the sabre oryx due to the shape of its horns, was born as part of a species recovery program. The newborn animal reportedly weighs 13 kg and is doing well.
According to the publication, this is the only species of oryx where both males and females have long, slender horns measuring between 100 and 150 cm. These animals were previously bred for meat in Ancient Egypt, but this practice was discontinued due to their aggressive behavior.
Sabre oryxes are known for their ability to go without water for long periods — up to 10 months, as reported by the source. They once inhabited the entire Sahara, but they are no longer found in the wild. Their extermination occurred as a result of poaching aimed at obtaining skins, meat, and horns.
Currently, efforts are actively underway to restore the population of this species and return its representatives to their natural habitat.
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