Dolan J.M. 1989. Conservation of the Arabian oryx and the role of its studbook. In: Abuzinada A.H., Goriup P.D., & Nader I.A. (eds). Wildlife Conservation and Development in Saudi Arabia. Proceedings of the First Symposium on the Potential for Wildlife Conservation and Development in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. NCWCD, Publication No.3, Riyadh. Pp. 303-309.

Summary: The Arabian oryx, which at one time ranged throughout most of the Middle East, has been known to science since 1777. The first captive animal arrived in London via Bombay in 1957. Although this antelope once had a considerable range, it began to shrink from the middle of the 19th Century. Few animals were known outside of Saudi Arabia by the onset of the First World War. The situation continued to deteriorate so that by 1960 the total world population appeared to be perhaps 100 to 200 animals. In 1962, an expedition was undertaken which captured two males and one female in Aden (South Yemen). To these were added a female from London Zoo, a female from Kuwait andtwo pairs from the Kingdom of SaudiArabia. This group of animals, known as the "World Herd", was taken to the Phoenix Zoo. In 1976 there were 33 males and 31 females registered in captivity in the United States. Since that time the number has risen to over 600 individuals spread throughout NorthAmerica, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The most important aspect of this captive breeding programme has been the re-introduction of the arabian oryx into the wild in Oman and its establishment in the Azraq Reserve in Jordan. A further encouraging development has been the establishment of a captive breeding programme for the Arabian oryx at Taif by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development.

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