THE ARABIAN ORYX (ORYX LEUCORYXPALLAS)

摘要

SummaryThe Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryxPallas) is in danger of extinction and in May, 1962, an expedition attempted to capture and remove to a place of safety a breeding nucleus of the species.The habitat, which consists of the central sand sea of southern Arabia and the gravel plains surrounding it, is subject to extreme conditions of aridity and carries only sparse vegetation. The species is the smallest of the four oryxes and the only one found outside Africa. It differs mainly in its size, light colouring and the shape of its hooves, which are broad and rounded and probably adapted to walking on loose sand. Very little is known of the life history and social structure. Herds containing varying numbers of both sexes usually number 1–15. The gestation period is 240 days, one calf being born at a time, and the calving season appears to vary widely. The oryxes prefer the gravel plains, where there is most food, but can retire into the sand sea when alarmed or if rain falls there provided the heat is not too great. They cover great distances in search of food and feed principally on grasses, together with a few herbs, fruits and roots. Information on food preferences was obtained from the literature, faecal analysis, stomach contents and observation of the tracks of feeding animals. The oryxes exist for long periods without free water, but take it readily when it is available. To obtain shade during the heat of the day, they dig hollows with their horns and hooves.The species is now found in only a small part of its former range, which extended from southern Arabia to Mesopotamia and the Syrian Desert. With the advent of modern transport and weapons its numbers have been drastically reduced by Arab hunting parties, who believe various parts of the animal to have magical properties. Apart from man it is not affected by predators. Despite one or two attempts to conserve it within its natural range, its survival almost certainly depends upon the establishment of a herd elsewhere. Since the expedition was limited for political reasons to the extreme western end of the species' present range. and only captured three animals, attempts are being made to obtain further specimens; about 12 exist in captivity, and a further expedition might be possible in one of the few areas where any remain in the wil