Threatened species of antelope saved from brink of extinction thanks to this

By Tom Campbell via SWNS

A threatened species of antelope has been brought back from the brink of extinction thanks to DNA decoding.

Breeding programs which match-make Arabian Oryxes based on their genetic lineage could ensure the species’ future, say scientists.

Hunting and poaching drove wild Arabian Oryx to extinction in 1972, but they continued to survive in captivity at zoos and in private collections across Saudi Arabia.

A decade later, the species was successfully re-wilded and there are now around 1,200 animals spread mainly around the Arabian peninsula.

But these iconic creatures still face a high risk of extinction in the wild according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

Despite their perilous position, breeding strategies which take into account the animals' genetic diversity have been missing.

Now scientists at the University of Sydney in Australia have decoded the Oryx's DNA and come up with a genetic plan.

Co-author Dr. Jaime Gongora said: "There is more to the preservation of the Arabian oryx than conservation.

"Historically and now, it has strong cultural significance in the Arabian Peninsula due to its unique physical features and strength, enabling it to live in harsh desert environments."

Genetic samples from 138 Arabian oryxes at the Al-Wusta Wildlife Reserve in Oman were collected and tested by the researchers.

An extra 36 historical samples from the offspring of a herd established at the Phoenix Zoo in the 1970s were also analyzed.

They looked at genetic variations in the DNA which had been passed down from the
animal's mother and found the gene pool was moderately diverse.

This suggests herds of oryx are genetically well equipped to deal with environmental changes and maintain good health.

At a certain level (58 percent), present samples were more genetically diverse than the historical ones.

Dr. Gongora said: "This means that conservation strategies based on random mating could be reasonably successful."

There was room for improvement however.

While three ancestral groups of oryx were identified by the researchers, their genetic code was not evenly distributed among the wildlife reserve's herds.

A breeding strategy where females are encouraged to reproduce with males from the other genetic lineages could remedy this.

Dr. Gongora said: "To ensure the survival of the species, it’s not just about population size - it’s about genetic diversity."

The researchers are now working with the Al-Wusta Wildlife Reserve to implement this strategy, which will kick-off once Covid travel restrictions are lifted.

Dr. Gongora said: "It has even become a national icon in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

"That’s why we are working so hard to ensure it survives – for the oryx itself and to keep this cultural connection alive.”

They also recommend Arabian oryx genetic samples be stored in a biobank for future analysis, along with eggs and sperm samples as a long-term insurance policy against extinction.

Arabian oryx can travel more than 45 miles per day in search of food and have a 'sixth sense' for detecting when rain is on its way.

They are distinguished by the length of their horns, which can grow up to one metre, and are a cultural icon in the Gulf region.

Dr. Gongora said: “This work in such an iconic species could serve as a benchmark for the long-term sustainability of other conservation programs.

"This includes those taking place at the Al-Wusta Wildlife Reserve involving the Sand Gazelle, the Mountain Gazelle and the Nubian Ibex.”

The findings were published in Royal Society Open Science.