Ancrenaz M., Ostrowski S., Delhomme A., & Greth A. 1995. Latest developments in translocation techniques of the Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx. In: Proceedings of the Joint Conference AAZV-WDA-AAWV, East Lansing, Michigan. Pp. 184-190.

Summary: An intensive captive breeding of Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx was established at the NWRC, Taif, Saudi Arabia, in 1986, for the propagation in captivity and reintroduction into the wild of this medium-size antelope. Because of their nervous disposition and their aggressiveness, members of the Hippotraginae family are highly susceptible to stress and capture myopathy syndrome. They are therefore difficult to restrain, to immobilise and to transport. The oryx bred at the NWRC for reintroduction are mother-reared in large enclosures (25 ha). They have almost no contact with human beings, and are handled only rarely. By the time they are translocated, the animals are very wild, nervous, afraid of man and highly sensitive to stress. A high mortality rate (between 9 % and 66 %), related to capture myopathy, occurred during the first translocations of Arabian oryx from the NWRC to Mahazat as-Sayd, a fenced protected area situated 200 km from Taif by road. New techniques based on boma training and on the use of long-acting tranquillisers were developed for Arabian oryx translocations over longer distances and longer periods of time (up to 9 hrs).

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