The Arabian Oryx is also known as the White Oryx and is an antelope of medium size. The Arabian Oryx happens to be the national animal of the UAE. The Oryx has a very characteristic shoulder bump along with long and straight horns as well as a tufted tail. The animal is also indigenous to the steppe regions of the Arabian Peninsula. The Oryx as a species has gone through many critical points, and at one point, was declared as extinct in the wild during the early 1970s. However, it seemed that the species had one more chance at survival, as it emerged that zoos and private preserves had saved a certain small but important population of the antelope. The Arabian Oryx was then reintroduced into the wilderness by the 1980s. Certain Abu Dhabi resorts and hotels like the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Yamm Villa Resort and numerous others, offer guests the chance to see this unique animal by means of safaris and tours at their establishment.
Interestingly an Oryx from Qatar called “Orry” was selected as the official games mascot to represent the 2006 Asian Games which were held in Doha. Up to date, some tailfins of aircraft that are of Qatar Airways carry the image of the Oryx. The coat of the Oryx is a luminous white while the underside and legs are brown. The animal rests during daylight and has the ability to sense rain and move in the direction of it. Apart from humans, wolves are the only other known predator that the animal has. While the Oryx is vulnerable to dehydration and malnutrition and other external causes like fights between males and natural disasters all of which might prove fatal, in favourable conditions, its life span has known to extend up to about 20 years.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
