Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day
August 16
About Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day
Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day takes place on Sunday, 16 August 2026. It is a wildlife conservation awareness day that celebrates the remarkable recovery of the scimitar-horned oryx, a desert antelope once declared Extinct in the Wild, and recognises the zoos and conservation partners working to secure its future.
What is Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day?
Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day is dedicated to the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), a striking white antelope native to the grasslands and deserts of North Africa. The day highlights one of the most significant conservation success stories of recent decades: the return of a species that had vanished from the wild back to its native range in Chad. It was created by BIAZA, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, following a nomination by Marwell Zoo in Hampshire, and is supported by zoos and conservation organisations across the world. The aim is to raise awareness of the species, celebrate the progress made, and call for continued support for the long-term work still required.
When is Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day?
Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day falls on Sunday, 16 August 2026. It is an annual awareness day held each year on 16 August. The first ever Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day was marked on 16 August 2025, making 2026 only the second time the occasion has been celebrated.
Why Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day Matters
The scimitar-horned oryx is one of very few large mammals to have been brought back from being Extinct in the Wild. Overhunting and habitat loss wiped out the wild population across the Sahel, and by 2000 the IUCN had formally classified the species as Extinct in the Wild. Thanks to a coordinated international effort, more than 600 oryx now roam free in Chad, and in 2023 the species was downlisted on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered. This was a world first for a large mammal, and a reminder that determined, well-funded conservation can reverse even the most severe declines. The day matters because it keeps attention on a recovery that is still fragile and still dependent on ongoing monitoring and funding.
How to Get Involved in Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day
There are many ways to mark the day and support the species, whether you live near a zoo or simply want to share the story online.
- Visit a zoo that keeps oryx – Marwell Zoo, Whipsnade Zoo and many other collections house scimitar-horned oryx and use the day to share the conservation story with visitors.
- Donate to a conservation partner – organisations such as Sahara Conservation, the Zoological Society of London and Marwell Wildlife rely on donations to fund monitoring and fieldwork in Chad.
- Share the story on social media – post about the oryx using the day’s hashtags to help a wider audience learn that a once-lost species has returned to the wild.
- Learn about the Sahel and its wildlife – read about the Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve and the other desert species, such as the addax and dama gazelle, that share the oryx’s habitat.
- Support your local zoo – membership and entry fees help fund the breeding programmes and field projects that made the reintroduction possible.
- Talk to children about the species – the oryx is an accessible and hopeful example of why conservation work matters, ideal for classrooms and family conversations.
- Follow the conservation organisations – keeping up with updates from BIAZA, Sahara Conservation and partner zoos helps you stay informed and share accurate news.
- Fundraise for desert conservation – host a small event or online appeal to raise money for the continued protection of reintroduced herds.
History of Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day
The scimitar-horned oryx once ranged widely across the semi-desert grasslands that border the Sahara. During the twentieth century, overhunting, competition with livestock and the loss of habitat caused a catastrophic decline. By the year 2000 the IUCN had declared the species Extinct in the Wild, with the only surviving animals held in zoos, private collections and a managed herd in the United Arab Emirates known as the Abu Dhabi World Herd.
The path back began in earnest with a reintroduction project initiated in 2014, led by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi alongside the Government of Chad, Sahara Conservation and a range of international zoo partners. From 2016 onwards, captive-bred oryx descended from the world herd were translocated to Chad’s Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve, where they were carefully monitored using satellite collars and adaptive management. The first calves born in the wild marked a turning point, and by 2023 more than 500 wild-born calves had pushed the free-ranging population past 600 animals. That milestone led the IUCN to downlist the species from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered, the first time such a recovery had been achieved for a large mammal.
To celebrate this achievement and to keep the momentum going, BIAZA established Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day following a nomination by Marwell Zoo, which has been involved in oryx conservation for around half a century. The inaugural day was held on 16 August 2025, recognising both the progress made and the role of zoos and their partners in supporting long-term conservation strategies.
Noteworthy Facts About Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day
- The first Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day was held on 16 August 2025, initiated by BIAZA after a nomination by Marwell Zoo.
- The scimitar-horned oryx was classified as Extinct in the Wild by the IUCN by the year 2000.
- More than 600 oryx now live in the wild in Chad, following the birth of over 500 wild calves by 2023.
- In 2023 the species became the first large mammal to be downlisted from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
- The animals released into Chad descend from the Abu Dhabi World Herd, assembled from zoo and collection populations around the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day?
It is an annual wildlife awareness day celebrating the recovery of the scimitar-horned oryx, a desert antelope once Extinct in the Wild that has been successfully reintroduced to Chad. It was created by BIAZA following a nomination by Marwell Zoo.
When is Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day in 2026?
Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day is on Sunday, 16 August 2026. It is held on 16 August every year.
Why was the scimitar-horned oryx Extinct in the Wild?
Overhunting, the loss of grazing habitat and competition with domestic livestock drove the species out of its native range across the Sahel, leaving only animals in zoos and managed collections until the reintroduction to Chad began.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #ScimitarHornedOryxDay and #ScimitarHornedOryxDay2026 on social media. The more people who learn that a once-lost species has returned to the wild, the greater the support for the conservation work that keeps it there.
Related Awareness Days
- Global Tiger Day – another single-species awareness day rallying support for an iconic animal under threat.
- International Vulture Awareness Day – shines a light on another group of species whose survival depends on dedicated conservation.
- World Ranger Day – honours the rangers who protect wildlife and habitats in the field, including reintroduced species like the oryx.
Links
- Visit the BIAZA website
- World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, which addresses the fragile desert and Sahel habitats the oryx calls home
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
Featured image: Photo by Bernd Dittrich on Unsplash.
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