August 26, 2008

Four Rare Scimitar-Horned Oryx Calves Born At
Six Flags Wild Safari

Births play a significant role in the conservation of the species

After several months of anticipation, Six Flags Wild Safari celebrates the birth of four new baby scimitar-horned Oryx that arrived within the month.  The three males and one female are all mothered by different Oryx. 

"The births are very significant for the Wild Safari and the critically endangered scimitar-horned Oryx population," said Six Flags Wild Safari Director Dr. Bill Rives.  "We are very excited to now have four healthy newborns join our Safari and they will play a vital role in their species conservation."

Now extinct in the wild, scimitar-horned Oryx once lived in the northern African countries of Egypt, Senegal and Chad.  A few causes contributed to the extinction of the scimitar-horned Oryx in the wild such as hunting, climate change and loss of habitat for farms and domestic livestock grazing on limited vegetation.

Both male and female have curved horns that grow to be several feet long.  Their coats are mostly white with reddish brown necks and black markings on the forehead down the length of the nose.  They live in herds of 20 to 40 individuals, led by a single male. 

The calves, which were born in a private paddock, will join the rest of their family in the African Plains section of the Safari late August. 

Park guests can see the newborn additions and more than 1,200 other Wild Safari residents daily through Sept. 1 and weekends through Nov. 2.  The Wild Safari is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. any theme park operating day except Fridays during Fright Fest.