Bamberger Ranch Research
Scimitar-horned Oryx Endangered Species Survival Program
Bamberger Ranch Survival Program founded in 1980
Status: Critically
Endangered
Native Range: African Sahara / mainly Niger and Chad
In the late 1970’s David Bamberger was on the board of the San Antonio Zoo. At that time zoos were experiencing problems with assuring survival of endangered species under their care due to inbreeding, lack of genetic diversity, and space. Species Survival Programs (SSP) had been started by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), and David approached the AZA with an offer to dedicate land for a species survival program. This land would be set aside for exclusive use in a captive breeding program. Here they could monitor and maintain diverse genetic material in one place. David reserved one square mile (640 acres) for the Species Survival Program and the AZA chose the Scimitar-horned Oryx as the best candidate. The land was separated into five small pastures for breeding groups, and several large pastures for herds. Females and their young comprise a herd, and the bachelor males, which are kept separate from the females form several small herds. A barn-like structure for working with them was constructed that allows people to safely tend to their medical needs as well as making it possible to separate out individuals for breeding or for shipping.
Meticulous records of bloodlines must be kept to understand and keep track of the genetics of a species. All known written records of Oryx that were removed from Africa were traced and 31 animals were found that had been sent to facilities in the United States and Europe. Of those 31 they found 29 bloodlines with good records. In 1980, 24 animals representing those 29 bloodlines were brought to the Bamberger Ranch. The initial goal was to raise the number of animals that are part of the SSP to 400 individuals, and to maintain a population of genetically diverse animals that are recognized as being part of the SSP. Animals in the SSP are physically located in many zoos, animal parks, and the Bamberger Ranch, Now if the San Diego Zoo, for example, needs a breeding male that is not related to their female and they find that Bamberger Ranch has the right animal with the right genes, we can ship an animal to them. We will ship any animal that the SSP requires to any facility in the world that participates in this breeding program.
Scimitar-horned Oryx have not been seen in the wild for over 20 years, and it is believed that none have survived in their home range. Fortunately when they were plentiful some of them had been imported into zoos and other facilities around the world. The ultimate goal is have a large healthy reserve of animals some of which can be reintroduced back into their native habitat.
David was invited on two trips to Western Africa with a group of scientists to look into the feasibility of releasing oryx in their original homeland. The group consisted of AZA, SSP cooperators, and scientists from Africa, the United States, England and France. They determined that without high fences and protection, the animals would be hunted for food before they could develop a viable herd. Extensive human population growth and declining habitat were and still are serious limiting factors for release of these animals into the wild. Captive herds on large, well-managed, protected preserves should be possible.
Bamberger Ranch continues to actively cooperate with the AZA and the Species Survival Program. Though costly, this program is vital to the survival of the Oryx. Currently there are 60 Oryx on the ranch and there have been as many as 120. In 2005, 3 animals from our herd were shipped out to be a part of a new captive breeding program initiative in North Africa in The Republic of Tunisia. The AZA has targeted The Republics of Gambia and Senegal as potential reintroduction sites due to their receptiveness, political stability, and suitable habitat.