Beisa Oryx

Oryx beisa beisa

The common beisa oryx (Oryx beisa beisa), also known as the beisa oryx, is the nominate subspecies of the East African oryx native to the Horn of Africa and Kenya. It is closely related to the fringe-eared oryx. There are four species of oryx, one of which has two distinct subspecies.
Common Beisa Oryx On the Aledeghi Plains with a Soemmerrings Gazelle behind.  The Common Beisa is found North of the Tana River and lives in the more arid Horn of Africa, as distinct from the Fringe-eared Oryx.  They can survive without water for almost as long as camels. They are now listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List with a declining population.  Despite this unfortunately hunting trips are allowed to take place between October & June in Ethiopia. Afar,Aledeghi Plains,Common beisa oryx,Oryx beisa beisa,Rift Valley,Soemmerrings gazelle

Appearance

Although they are very similar in appearance, they have a number of distinct characteristics that allow identification. Common beisa oryx have fringed ears and black tufts of hair that extend past their ears. However, all species of oryx are compact and muscular, with relative long bodies and broad necks. There are not any marked difference between male and female oryx. The common beisa oryx enjoys feeding on a variety of grass species. They feed during the day, when the plants hold the most water. During the dry season, they feed on poisonous Adenium plants.

Habitat

The common beisa oryx once inhabited a large region of northeastern Africa, from Sudan down to Tanzania, but it has been going extinct rapidly. Now they mostly remain in Ethiopia and northern Kenya. In 1959, a boundary change in the Serengeti National Park excluded the area inhabited by the common beisa oryx. Recent observations show that oryx are still only visitors to the Serengeti National Park, but there are indications that they may become resident in the future. Common beisa oryx stay in bushland and grassland areas. During the wet season, they move to high ground and avoid tall grass and saturated areas. They move great distances to find a perfect location and stay there for a few seasons.

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

Status: Endangered
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderArtiodactyla
FamilyBovidae
GenusOryx
SpeciesO. beisa beisa
Photographed in
Ethiopia