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The slender horns of the Arabian oryx, also known as the “white oryx” because of its luminous white coat, are said to be an inspiration for tales of the mythical unicorn. Extremely adaptive to their environment, the oryxes’ white fur reflects the sunlight to cool themselves in the desert heat, which can reach as high as 130 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius) in the summer.?


The antelope species once roamed from Egypt to Yemen, but in the 1970s, it was classified as extinct in the wild due to overhunting. This kickstarted conservation efforts, which involved breeding the species in captivity and reintroducing it into the wild. Today, there are an estimated 1,220 Arabian oryxes in the wild and 6,000 to 7,000 in captivity, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Two Arabian oryx lock horns in al-Wusta Wildlife Reserve for Environmental Conservation in Haima, Oman in 2021. The Arabian oryxes’ horns – meant to serve as a defense mechanism – in fact made them a target, as hunters in the 20th century believed that they possessed magical <a target="_blank">powers</a>.
Two Arabian oryx lock horns in al-Wusta Wildlife Reserve for Environmental Conservation in Haima, Oman in 2021. The Arabian oryxes’ horns – meant to serve as a defense mechanism – in fact made them a target, as hunters in the 20th century believed that they possessed magical powers.
Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images
Today, the species still faces some threats from illegal hunting, overgrazing and droughts, but its impressive comeback led the IUCN to upgrading its status from <a target="_blank">endangered to vulnerable</a> in 2011. Its range now covers Israel, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Here, Arabian oryx are pictured near the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2021.
Today, the species still faces some threats from illegal hunting, overgrazing and droughts, but its impressive comeback led the IUCN to upgrading its status from endangered to vulnerable in 2011. Its range now covers Israel, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Here, Arabian oryx are pictured near the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2021.
Karim Sahin/AFP/Getty Images
In <a target="_blank">1962</a>, when <a target="_blank">fewer than 500 Arabian oryxes</a> remained in the wild, conservationists founded “Operation Oryx” to save the animals from extinction. Teams, sent into the desert of what is now South Yemen, <a target="_blank">captured three oryx</a> and took them to Phoenix Zoo in the United States for the first stage of a captive breeding program. Here, a baby Arabian oryx is seen at Zoo Miami in Miami, Florida.
In 1962, when fewer than 500 Arabian oryxes remained in the wild, conservationists founded “Operation Oryx” to save the animals from extinction. Teams, sent into the desert of what is now South Yemen, captured three oryx and took them to Phoenix Zoo in the United States for the first stage of a captive breeding program. Here, a baby Arabian oryx is seen at Zoo Miami in Miami, Florida.
Ron Magill/AP
Two decades later, thanks to a <a target="_blank">joint effort</a> from multiple governments, zoos and conservation groups, the project began reintroducing the animals into the wild. In 2007, nations across the species’ range came together to form a <a target="_blank">conservation strategy</a> to continue to preserve the species, including a <a target="_blank">regional studbook</a> that keeps a record of captive populations to control breeding. In this 2022 picture, members of The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and Abu Dhabi's Environment Agency release Arabian oryx into the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve in Azraq, Jordan.
Two decades later, thanks to a joint effort from multiple governments, zoos and conservation groups, the project began reintroducing the animals into the wild. In 2007, nations across the species’ range came together to form a conservation strategy to continue to preserve the species, including a regional studbook that keeps a record of captive populations to control breeding. In this 2022 picture, members of The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and Abu Dhabi's Environment Agency release Arabian oryx into the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve in Azraq, Jordan.
Alaa Al Sukhni/Reuters
Arabian oryxes are herbivores, eating desert grasses and <a target="_blank">shrubs</a>. Attuned to their environment, they can detect <a target="_blank">rainfall and plant growth</a> from up to <a target="_blank">56 miles (90 km) away</a> – often wandering long distances in search of pasture. But, according to <a target="_blank">the IUCN</a>, their mobility can also leave them vulnerable, as they wander outside protected areas. Here, an Arabian oryx takes refuge in the shade of a tree in a conservation area in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2023.
Arabian oryxes are herbivores, eating desert grasses and shrubs. Attuned to their environment, they can detect rainfall and plant growth from up to 56 miles (90 km) away – often wandering long distances in search of pasture. But, according to the IUCN, their mobility can also leave them vulnerable, as they wander outside protected areas. Here, an Arabian oryx takes refuge in the shade of a tree in a conservation area in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2023.
Kamran Jebreili/AP
In attempt to restore the Arabian oryx to its historic range, reintroductions in <a target="_blank">Iraq</a>, <a target="_blank">Kuwait</a> and <a target="_blank">Syria</a> have been proposed. Conservationists are monitoring the captive populations in these countries with the hope of establishing stable herds there in the future. In this picture, Arabian oryx are seen at the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Umm Al-Zamool, some 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2016.
In attempt to restore the Arabian oryx to its historic range, reintroductions in Iraq, Kuwait and Syria have been proposed. Conservationists are monitoring the captive populations in these countries with the hope of establishing stable herds there in the future. In this picture, Arabian oryx are seen at the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary in Umm Al-Zamool, some 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2016.
Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images