Arabian Oryx: Back From Extinction

The graceful Arabian Oryx is not only among the largest desert animals of the Arab region but is one of the rarest animals on earth. Among the four species of oryx, the Arabian Oryx is the smallest. 

The Arabian Oryx is an antelope that has evolved to its harsh environment in response to the intense solar heat of the deserts and gravel plains of the Middle East where these animals make their home. The bright white coat reflects the suns rays, keeping the animals cooler even during the hottest part of the day. Their dark legs, in contrast, absorb heat during the bitter chill of desert mornings. Their hooves are splayed and shovel-like, providing a large surface area with which to walk on the sandy ground.

Because the skin of Arabian Oryx lacks glare and reflection, it is very difficult to spot them even at a distance of over 100 yards. At that distance they seem almost invisible. Oryx also possess a very unusual circulation system to cool their blood in their heads, very helpful for desert dwellers.

Graceful and powerful, both male and female oryx possess straight, ringed horns as long as 27 inches; the female’s are thinner and longer than those of the male. Oryx have been known to kill lions with their lethal horns. Because of this, they are known as ‘saber antelope’. These horns play an important role when adult males engage in battle to establish their hierarchy determining the dominate male among a herd.

The mythical unicorn may have originated in part from the Arabian oryx because, when viewed in profile, they appear to have only one horn.

Due to their social nature, Abrarian Oryx usually live in large herds that can have as many as 100 members. 

Arabian Oryx are active mostly during the early morning and late evening, resting in the shade when the midday heat is at its most intense. Using their hooves, oryx dig shallow depressions in the ground so they can lie in cooler sand, surrounded with bushes and shrubs which provide some protection against the fierce desert winds.

These remarkable creatures have adapted to their environment surviving  the inhospitable climate and sparse availability of food due to its ability to go without water for a prolonged period of time; this ability can only be rivaled by that of the camel.

In the 1930’s, Arabian princes and oil company employees began hunting the Arabian oryx with automobiles and rifles. The hunts grew in size to the point that by the middle of the 20th century were effectively extinct. The last Arabian oryx in the wild was killed by poachers in 1972.

It was due to the efforts of captive breeding that succeeded in preserving the species. Wildwood Wildlife Park is proud to be part of the effective conservation efforts of captive breeding and reintroduction. Wild populations of Arabian Oryx now live in Israel, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The population is still fragile due to high mortality in the harsh environment.

In 1986 the oryx was classified as endangered and in 2011 it was the first animal to revert to vulnerable status after being listed as extinct in the wild. In 2011 populations were estimated at over 1,000 individuals in the wild and 6,000-7,000 individuals in zoos and wildlife preserves worldwide. The Arabian oryx is one of the most successful stories of conservation recovery.

Memories & Experiences to Last a Lifetime!

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

The above quote, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, sums up the mission of Wildwood Wildlife Park: to provide an exciting zoological collection and educational facility to all visitors. Promoting life-long learning by enriching minds, fostering environmental respect, while helping prepare our visitor for our conservation future. We strive to provide experiences that last a lifetime with every visit no matter your age.

A visit to the zoo is an educational experience by itself and we believe by involving our visitors in our conservation efforts we expand the circle of people who will make a difference.

Wildwood Wildlife Park is dedicated to the understanding, celebration and conservation of wildlife through the excellence in education, animal husbandry, exhibits and community relations.

It is in this spirit the park created the William E. Gardner Education and Events Center. 

Located adjacent to the Living History Center and the Dino Dig Adventure, our zoo's Educational Center is filled with amazing hands on exhibits. Visitors can see into the world of the honeybee and witness them performing their amazing duties to produce honey. 

Microscopes help you identify insects - educational stations teach identification including skulls, fur and artifacts.

There are many other displays including tarantula, lizard, frog, gecko, scorpion and finches. There are so many opportunities to learn in every corner of the center. 

Our conservation corner features videos that share the conservation efforts Wildwood Wildlife Park is involved in to help protect and preserve rhinos, sloths, lemurs, leopards, and tigers all of which our zoo actively supports.

Continuing Education and Conservation: Wildwood Wildlife Park Lemur Exhibit

The zoo may be closed for the season but that doesn’t mean that we’ve been hibernating waiting for spring. If you’ve driven by the zoo lately you know that nothing could be farther from the truth! We can’t wait for spring to show off the new and exciting changes at Wildwood Wildlife Park.

We’ve got that reputation among our zoo members and visitors that there is always something New at the Zoo. Today we take you on a behind the scenes look at the new lemur house.

Did you know all species of lemurs are native to Madagascar?

Wildwood Wildlife Park is fortunate to house four different species: the Ring-Tailed Lemur, the Brown Lemur, the Red Ruffed Lemur and the Black and White Lemur.

The Red Ruffed and the Black and White are two species of ruffed lemurs named for the “ruff” of long hair that runs from the ears along the cheeks to beneath their chin. Ruffed lemurs are the largest of the lemurs - about the size of a large house cat. 

The name “lemur” comes from the Latin word for “ghost.” Lemurs communicate with each other using a complex system of at least 12 different vocalizations. These vocalizations can be low grunts, gurgling sounds or a cackle like roar. It’s no wonder that the first people to hear the loud calls of a lemur thought they were ghosts in the forest!

Can you guess the favorite food of the lemur? If you guess fruit - you’re right! But they also eat other food including leaves, flowers, buds and fungi. When the lemurs aren’t foraging for their food in the treetops you’ll find them dangling from their arms or legs to get to a hard-to-reach treat if they can’t get it from a standing position.

When a female lemur is ready to give birth she begins making a nest - in the wild the nest can be high up in a tree usually 60 to 80 feet from the ground. Would you be surprised to know that baby ruffed lemurs don’t cling to their mothers: the mom thinks it is time to move her baby, she carries him or her in her mouth.

Lemurs are critically endangered. The main reason is the loss of their rain forest habitat. Madagascar’s forests have been reduced by as much as 85% due to extensive logging for cooking fuel, building materials and what is called slash-and-burn farming.

Wildwood Wildlife Park is dedicated to help save these beautiful, inquisitive and vocal animals. We look forward to your visiting the new lemur exhibit.