Download species profile - Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and

SPECIES PROFILE
Scimitar-horned Oryx
Oryx dammah
Photograph: Scimitar-horned oryx at the Arrouais Reserve, Souss Massa National Park,
Morocco. Photograph by Heiner Engel
April 2015
Elyshia Wignell BSc (Zoology)
Donna Cuttriss
This publication should be cited as:
Wignell, E. & Cuttriss, D. (2015) Species Profile: Scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah).
Zoodoo Zoo. Richmond, Tasmania.
About this Pest Risk Assessment
This pest risk assessment is developed in accordance with the Policy and Procedures for the
Import, Movement and Keeping of Vertebrate Wildlife in Tasmania (DPIPWE 2011). The
policy and procedures set out conditions and restrictions of the importation of mammals,
birds, reptiles and amphibians pursuant to s32 of the Nature Conservation Act 2002. This
pest risk assessment is prepared by Zoodoo Zoo for the use within the Department of
Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Tasmania.
For more information about this Pest Risk Assessment, please contact:
Elyshia Wignell
Zoodoo Zoo Pty Ltd
Address: 620 Middle Tea Tree Road, RICHMOND Tasmania, 7025
Phone: (03) 6260 2456
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.zoodoo.com.au
Disclaimer
The information provided in this Pest Risk Assessment is provided in good faith. Zoodoo Zoo
and its employees do not accept liability however arising, including liability for negligence,
for any loss resulting from the reliance upon the information in this Pest Risk Assessment.
1. Summary
The Scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah) was historically found to be ranging throughout
North Africa, in countries including, Algeria, Burkina faso, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali,
Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia and the Western Sahara
(Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). To date, there is no evidence of the Scimitar-horned Oryx ever
having been introduced into other geographic ranges and no feral populations were ever
thought to have been established. Evidence has demonstrated however, that historically the
Scimitar-horned Oryx did compete with livestock such as sheep and cattle for grazing
(Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Historically, Scimitar-horned Oryx preferred Sub-arid and Sub- Sahelian environments and
were well adapted, physiologically, behaviourally and physically for survival in such harsh
environmental conditions (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). As these preferred habitat types do
not exist in Tasmania, it is highly unlikely that Scimitar-horned Oryx populations could ever
establish here.
Scimitar-horned Oryx have been listed by the IUCN as ‘extinct in the wild’ since 2000 and
today the species only exists in captivity and as semi-wild populations in protected areas
(IUCN 2008). The extinction of the Scimitar-horned Oryx in the wild is predicted to be due to
a variety of factors including, habitat destruction, hunting by humans and competition, for
their food source, with domestic livestock (IUCN 2008; Gordon and Gill 1993).
In Tasmania, the Scimitar-horned Oryx is a ‘controlled animal’ under the Nature
Conservation Act 2002.
The Vertebrate Pest Committee has assessed the Scimitar-horned Oryx as a ‘serious’ threat
species and therefore that collections may only be kept for purposes of either public display
and education and/or legitimate scientific research purposes (VPC 2007).
2.
Introduction
2.1 NAME AND TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla (suborder: Ruminantia)
Family: Bovidae (subfamily: Hippotraginae)
Genus: Oryx
Species: Oryx dammah (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004) (although due to numerous
nomenclature changes, since the discovery of the Scimitar-horned Oryx in 1816, many
other names are also used in the literature including: Oryx algazel, O.damma, O. tao, O.
bezoartious, O. ensicornis and O. leucoryx) (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Sub-species or variety (If applicable): No subspecies are currently recognised (Dolan
1996)
Common Names (including any industry or trade names): Scimitar-horned Oryx or
Scimitar Oryx in English. Oryx Di libye or Oryx Algazelle in French and Orix De Cimitarra
in Spanish.
Known hybrids: All three species of Oryx (O. dammah, O. gazella and O. leucoryx) are
capable of interbreeding and do so readily (Dolan 1996; Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Scimitar-horned Oryx are also capable of breeding with Addax species (Addax
nasomaculatus), with Oryx/Addax hybrids strongly resembling the Addax (often being
sold as such) and, unlike most other hybrids, are often fertile (Gilbert and Woodfine
2004).
2.2 DESCRIPTION
The Scimitar-horned Oryx is a medium-sized African antelope species (Morrow, Wildt
and Monfort 1999; Dolan 1996) that has a relatively straight back, with the exception of
a slight raise that can be seen at the animals shoulder region, and face (Dolan 1996). The
tail of the Scimitar-horned Oryx is long with a tuft of hair at the terminal end (Gilbert
and Woodfine 2004).
The ears of the Scimitar-horned Oryx are medium sized, with long hairs being found on
the lower border and short hairs on the upper (Dolan 1996). The Scimitar-horned Oryx
has relatively small eyes, are naked on the rostrum between the nostrils and have a
distinctive, but small, ruddy brown stripe on their upper nasal border (Dolan 1996). This
brown colour is also commonly demonstrated on the neck, continuing down to the
upper chest, of the Scimitar-horned Oryx and may also be seen as a single stripe down
the animals back (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
The rest of the animal’s body is covered with an off-white/light brown coloured coat
(Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). This pale coat, in combination with the animals black skin
and tongue (tip), acts to reflect sunlight and prevent sunburn (Gilbert and Woodfine
2004). These features, as well as the Scimitar-horned Oryx’s unusually enlarged hooves
for walking on hot sand, are likely to have arisen as a direct result of living in hot, arid
environments (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Males are often the larger of the two sexes, in terms of both height and weight (Dolan
1996), with females and males measuring an average shoulder height of 120 and 126cm,
respectively, (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004) and weighing up to between 150-165kg
(Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). Their common name comes from the ‘scimitar’ like shape
of their horns, which curve backwards into an arc. Both males and females are equipped
with horns (Dolan 1996).
2.3 CONSERVATION AND LEGAL STATUS
CONSERVATION
The Scimitar-horned Oryx has been officially listed as ‘extinct in the wild’ by the IUCN,
since the year 2000. The listing is due to there being no definitive evidence, as of 2008,
of the Scimitar-horned Oryx’s continued existence in the wild for over 15 years (IUCN
2008).
LEGAL STATUS
In Tasmania, the Scimitar-horned Oryx is a ‘controlled animal’ under the Nature
Conservation Act 2002.
The Vertebrate Pest Committee (VPC) has assessed the Scimitar-horned Oryx as a
‘serious’ threat species. As a result, collections of this species may only be kept for
purposes of either public display and education and/or legitimate scientific research
(VPC 2007).
This species is listed under CITES Appendix I (Gilbert 2013).
3.
BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
3.1 LIFE HISTORY
Available evidence on the breeding system of wild populations of Scimitar-horned Oryx
consistently reports that most young are born over a short period, around 2 months,
when the environmental conditions are at their peak (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Furthermore, the exact time of breeding often differs from year to year and in years
where conditions remain favourable, breeding has been demonstrated to occur all year
round (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Reproductive cycles, for wild female Scimitar-horned Oryx, last between 21 and 26 days
and gaps between cycles are often variable, with evidence of breaks occurring anywhere
between 38 and 96 days (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). Despite this 3-4 week cycle, some
evidence has suggested that females are only sexually receptive to males for as little as
30 minutes throughout this time, potentially making it extremely difficult for males
(Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
After a gestation period of between 242 and 300 days (8-8.5 months), females leave the
herd for approximately a week (Dolan 1996). During this time the female will give birth
to one calf, with twins being possible but rare, and enter post-partum oestrus allowing
her to reconceive almost immediately (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). As a result, when
conditions are favourable, females are capable of producing calves annually (Gilbert and
Woodfine 2004). At birth, young weigh between 9 and 14kg, are equipped with horn
stumps between 2 and 5 cm tall and are light brown in colour, with a white abdomen
and black tip on their tail (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
For around three weeks, following their birth, Scimitar-horned Oryx young remain
hidden at a location that is a slight distance from their mothers in an attempt to protect
them from potential predators (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). Following this time, the
young join a nursery crèche with other calves of a similar ages and remain here until
they become weaned from their mothers from 5-10 months of age (Gilbert and
Woodfine 2004).
Adult colouration is gained between 3 and 12 months of age and sexual maturity is
reached at 10-22 months and 11-27 months for males and females, respectively.
3.2 HABITAT REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERENCES
Historically, the Scimitar-horned Oryx is thought to have been widespread throughout
North Africa (IUCN 2008), from Sudan on the Red Sea all the way to Mauritania on the
Atlantic coast (Gordon and Gill 1993), particularly in Arid landscapes bordering Saharan
habitats (Gilbert, Woodfine, Houston, Newby and Zahzah 2012).
Scimitar-horned Oryx can be found in a variety of habitat types including; rolling dunes
and wooded inter-dunal depressions, as well as grassy steppes (IUCN 2008).
Sub-arid and Sub- Sahelian environments were thought to be preferred by the ScimitarSahelian bush environments were rarely inhabited by the Scimitar-horned Oryx (IUCN
2008). Flat deserts were preferred by the Scimitar-horned Oryx over hilly or stone
deserts and they often avoided significantly mountainous areas (Dolan 1996)
Scimitar-horned Oryx are thought to be well adapted to these sub-arid and sub-saharan
desert types for a variety of behaviour, physical and physiological reasons (Morrow,
Wildt and Monfort 1999; Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Behavioural
The Scimitar-horned Oryx is crepuscular, meaning that they are active mainly during
dusk and dawn, likely the coolest time of the day in their preferred environments
(Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). Migrations continuing into the night have also been found
in this species (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). Furthermore, during the hottest time of the
day the scimitar-horned Oryx will spend its time resting in the shade (Gilbert and
Woodfine 2004). In areas where the Scimitar-horned Oryx is not able to find adequate
shade, they have been seen to use their front hooves to excavate hollows in the soil to
sit in, in an attempt to keep cool and prevent water loss (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Throughout the Sahelian range of the Scimitar-horned Oryx, it was demonstrated to
migrate up to 1300km in its search for adequate sources of food and water (Gilbert and
Woodfine 2004). Furthermore, the Scimitar-horned Oryx often migrates to areas where
rainfall has either just occurred or where it is due (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Physical
The Scimitar-horned Oryx’s body is covered with an off-white/light brown coloured coat
(Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). This pale coat, in combination with the animals black skin
and tongue (tip), acts to reflect sunlight and prevent sunburn (Gilbert and Woodfine
2004). These features, as well as the Scimitar-horned Oryx’s unusually enlarged hooves
for walking on hot sand, are likely to have arisen as a direct result of living in hot, arid
environments (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Physiological
Due to living in hot, dry environments, the Scimitar-horned Oryx is capable of going long
periods of time without drinking water, and instead is able to get a sufficient amount of
nutrients from its food (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
3.3 NATURAL GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Historically, the Scimitar-horned Oryx is thought to have been widespread throughout
North Africa (IUCN 2008), from Sudan on the Red Sea all the way to Mauritania on the
Atlantic coast (Iyengar et al. 2007) and from the 15th degree, of the northern latitude, to
the Mediterranean Sea (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). More specifically, countries and
areas known to have been inhabited by the Scimitar-horned Oryx includes, Algeria,
Burkina faso, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal,
Sudan, Tunisia and the Western Sahara (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
All together, the natural range of the Scimitar-horned Oryx is thought to have covered
nearly 10 million square km.
3.4 INTRODUCED GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
As Scimitar-horned Oryx are now extinct in the wild, as part of long-term reintroduction
programmes, captive populations are now kept in protected areas, surrounded by
fencing, in Tunisia, Senegal and Sous Massa National park in Morocco (an area
potentially outside of the known historical range) (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Apart from this controlled introduction into a fenced and protected area, there is no
evidence of the Scimitar-horned Oryx ever having being introduced into an area in which
it was not formally present. Furthermore, there is no evidence of the Scimitar-horned
Oryx ever being a pest in the wild and it is therefore not listed on the Global Invasive
Species Database (GISD 2015).
3.5 POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION IN TASMANIA
Using modelling by the Bureau of Rural Science (DAFF), a climate comparison between
the species’ historical distribution and potential Australian distribution is shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 1. Climate comparison between natural range of the Scimitar-horned Oryx and
Australia, where 10 is a ‘perfect’ climate match and 0 is having a very dissimilar climate.
Tasmania shows a match between 0 and 2 (Distribution source: Iyengar et al. 2007).
Climate modelling suggests that the Scimitar-horned Oryx would find Tasmania’s climate
unsuitable and therefore there is a very low chance of it being able to establish a population
in Tasmania.
3.6 DIET AND FEEDING BEHAVIOUR
The Scimitar-horned Oryx are grazers, feeding of a variety of grasses and forbs (Gilbert
and Woodfine 2004; Iyengar et al. 2007). Scimitar-horned Oryx can also be found eating
foods such as legumes, acacia pods, tubers and bulbs as well as browse, if their usual
food source is scarce or unavailable (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
In order to obtain enough water in their diet, particularly during the dry seasons, Oryx
were often found eating Indigofera viscosa plants and watermelon, particularly during
early morning or late evening when the mass of glandular hairs covering these plants are
covered in the most dew (Iyengar et al. 2007).
Historically, it was demonstrated that the Scimitar-horned Oryx would travel vast
distances in search of an adequate source of food and water and distances of up to
1300km have been recorded, in one year (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Migrations mainly occurred during the coolest times of the day, dusk and dawn, in order
for the Oryx to reduce water loss (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). Scimitar-horned Oryx
migrations appeared to have the pattern of heading to areas that were due for rainfall,
for instance from March- May (the dry season) the Oryx would commonly move
southward and remain there until the heavy rainfall had passed before travelling north
again between June and July (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
3.7 SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND GROUPINGS
Scimitar-horned Oryx are hugely social animals who, during migrations, could be seen to
gather in aggregations of herds consisting of serval hundred, sometimes thousand,
individuals (Dolan 1996; Gilbert et al. 2012). However, more commonly herds consisting
of between 10-30 individuals were demonstrated (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Each herd has a leader, however early research is often inconsistent as to whether the
role of the leader is taken on by a male or a female member. Some researchers (Dolan
1996) believe that an adult male is most often the leader of the herd, however other
research believes that the highest ranking female is the leader (Gilbert and Woodfine
2004). Further studies have demonstrated that the group may consist of a high ranking
female ‘leading’ from the front, but that movements are actually directed by the
dominant male who is situated at the rear of the herd (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Historically, Scimitar-horned Oryx were also found to associate with other antelope
species such as the Dama gazelle (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Older males are often solitary (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Scimitar-horned Oryx young join nursery crèche groups, with other calves of a similar
ages, when they are around 3 weeks old. Young remain here until they become weaned
from their mothers from 5-10 months of age (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
3.8 NATURAL PREDATORS AND DISEASE
PREDATION
Historically, young or weak Scimitar-horned Oryx have been seen to be predated upon
by predators such as, wild dogs, golden jackels, hyenas (spotted and striped), cheetahs
and even vultures (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). However, healthy adult Scimitar-horned
Oryx had no natural predators (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004), with the exception of
humans who ultimately aided in their eventual extinction due to overhunting the species
(IUCN 2008; Gordon and Gill 1993).
In Tasmania, it is likely that there would be few potential predators of the Scimitarhorned Oryx. Given the size of potential Tasmanian predators such as Tasmanian Devils
and Wedge-tailed Eagles, it is likely that the Scimitar-horned Oryx would only be
susceptible to predation when either very young (i.e., small enough size to be taken by
either a Devil or Wedge-tailed Eagle) or when in very poor condition. However, given
that Scimitar-horned Oryx share their food source with domestic livestock, it is possible
that strong competition for their shared food source could arise, much like it did in the
lead up to their wild extinction (Iyengar et al. 2007; Gilbert et al 2012).
There appear to be no records of aggressive behaviour by this species towards people.
DISEASE
Scimitar-horned Oryx are carriers for Gamma herpesvirus (Flatch, Reid, Pow and Klemt
2002). This Gamma herpesvirus is thought to have resulted in the Scimitar-horned Oryx
being found with antibodies for other diseases, such as malignant catarrhal fever (MCF),
however the existence of MCF in Scimitar-horned Oryx is still often suspected to be able
to occur (Flatch, Reid, Pow and Klemt 2002).
Other diseases such as: Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), associated with the loss of
body condition and diarrhoea; Oocytes of Crytptosporidium and Bovine spongiform
encephalopathy (mad cow disease), in which Scimitar-horned Oryx were effected by
during the UK outbreak of this disease (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004), have been found in
captive populations of Scimitar-horned Oryx. Furthermore, Scimitar-horned Oryx are
capable of obtaining a variety of gastero-intestinal helminths, however which species
the Scimitar-horned Oryx catches depends on its geographical location and the ability
for the particular helminth to survive or even exist there (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Other Oryx species have been demonstrated to have diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB),
nocardiosis and yeriniosis. While it seems likely that Scimitar-horned Oryx would also be
capable of housing such diseases, these illnesses have not yet been documented in
Scimitar-horned Oryx, with the exception of yeriniosis which has been found in young
Scimitar-horned oryx (4-6 months) and is likely to have been transmitted via wild birds
and/or rodents (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
Furthermore, although there is currently little research to support this theory, it is likely
that Scimitar-horned Oryx would be susceptible to a variety diseases known to effect
domestic livestock, such as cattle and sheep (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004).
While diseases carried by Scimitar-horned Oryx have the potential to transfer to other
Oryx species and potentially domestic livestock, such diseases are unlikely to be
transferred to and affect human populations.
3.9 THREAT TO HUMAN SAFETY
Due to their size and the presence of two very large horns, if seriously threatened or
cornered, Scimitar-horned Oryx are potentially capable of causing injuries to humans.
However, no current evidence exists of Scimitar-horned Oryx ever causing harm to
humans and therefore they are unlikely to pose a significant threat.
A number of diseases present in other Oryx species, that Scimitar-horned Oryx are also
thought to be susceptible to, including Tuberculosis may present a threat to human
safety if caught by Scimitar-horned Oryx. However, this disease is not present in
Tasmania and as a result Scimitar-horned Oryx do not appear to pose any disease risk to
Tasmanians.
3.10 HISTORY AS A PEST
Due to their current extinction in the wild, Scimitar-horned Oryx are not currently
considered as a pest species. Historically, they are not believed to have been introduced
to any areas outside of their historic range and no feral populations of this species have
ever been recorded. Furthermore, Scimitar-horned Oryx are not recorded on the Global
Invasive Species Database (GISD 2015).
Historically, there is little evidence of Scimitar-horned Oryx causing significant impacts
on the environment or agriculture. However, there is the potential for Scimitar-horned
Oryx to cause damage to farm land due to over-grazing or competing with domestic
livestock for a shared food source (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004). Such competition,
however, resulted in the extinction of this species historically and therefore may effect
Scimitar-horned Oryx populations more so than populations of domestic livestock
(Gilbert et al. 2012).
3.11 POTENTIAL IMPACT IN TASMANIA
Should wild populations become established, Scimitar-horned Oryx could significantly
impact Tasmania’s environment and agriculture through trampling plants, fencing and
other smaller animals, as well as overgrazing.
Scimitar-horned Oryx are likely to come in direct competition with domestic livestock for
their shared food source, as has been demonstrated in the past and led to the eventual
extinction of the species (Gilbert et al. 2012). This competition, could lead to a reduction
in the natural food source of domestic livestock and may result in an increased cost of
feeding for farmers in order to ensure the survival of such livestock. Reduced livestock
condition, due to competition from Scimitar-horned Oryx, may also effect the livelihood
of Tasmanian farmers.
Grass alone, in the Tasmanian environment, may not provide a sufficient enough food
source for the survival of the Scimitar-horned Oryx and as a result, animals may switch
to browsing on occasion and as a result may negatively impact on Tasmanian
environment and plantations.
However, the establishment of Scimitar-horned Oryx populations in Tasmania is unlikely
due to Tasmania’s climate being an unsuitable match for this species, and therefore
their potential impact in Tasmania is highly unlikely.
DISEASE
It is assumed that Scimitar-horned Oryx are capable of obtaining diseases similar to that
of domestic livestock, such as cattle and sheep (Gilbert and Woodfine 2004) and
therefore there is some potential for the species to act as a carrier of diseases that are
present in Tasmania which may negatively impact on agriculture.
4.
Risk Assessment
4.1 PREVIOUS RISK ASSESSMENT
The Scimitar-horned Oryx has previously been assessed by the Commonwealth
Vertebrate Pest Committee (VPC 2007) as a ‘serious’ risk. Therefore, under this VPC
classification Scimitar-horned Oryx may only be kept if they are being used for
educational purposes and public display and/or state/territory approved genuine
scientific research (VPC 2007).
In Tasmania, the Scimitar-horned Oryx would likely be considered a ‘controlled animal’
under the Nature Conservation Act 2002, however, the Scimitar-horned Oryx has not yet
been considered for importation into Tasmania.
5.
References
Bomford, M. (2008) Risk Assessment Models for Establishment of Exotic Vertebrates in
Australia and New Zealand. Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Canberra.
Dolan, J.M. (1996) Notes on the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah). International Zoo
Yearbook. P. 219-229.
Flatch, E.J., Reid, H., Pow, I. & Klemt, A. (2002) Gamma herpesvirus carrier status of
captive artiodactyls. Research in Veterinary Sciences 73 (1). P. 93-99.
Gilbert, T. & Woodfine, T. (2004) The biology, husbandry and conservation of scimitarhorned oryx (Oryx dammah) (2nd ed.). United Kingdom: Marwell Preservation Trust Ltd.
ISBN 0 9521397 2 3.
Gilbert, T., Woodfine, T., Houston, W., Newby, J. & Zahzah, K. (2012) The fall and rise of
the scimitar-horned oryx. World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) Magazine
13. P. 25-28.
Gilbert, T. (2013) International studbook for the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah).
Eighth edition. Marwell Wildlife, Winchester.
Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) (2015) (http://www.issg.org/database).
Gordon, I.J. & Gill, J.P. (1993) Reintroduction of scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah) to
Bou-Hedma National Park, Tunisia. International Zoo Yearbook 32 (1). P69-73.
IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group. (2008) Oryx dammah. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 16
February 2015.
Iyengar, A., Gilbert, T., Woodfine, T., Knowles, J.M., Diniz, F.M., Brenneman, R.A., Louis
Jr, E.E. & Maclean, N. (2007) Remnants of ancient genetic diversity preserved within
captive groups of scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah). Molecular Ecology 16 (12). P.
2436-2449.
Morrow, C.J., Wildt, D.E. & Monfort, S.L. (1999) Reproductive seasonality in the female
scimitar-horned Oryx (Oryx dammah). Animal Conservation 2 (4). P. 261-268.
Vertebrate Pests Committee (VPC). List of Exotic Vertebrate Animals in Australia, July
2007, Environment Australia.