Rising Oryx Numbers May Distress New Mexico Ecosystem

[Pantheraman]

Rising oryx numbers may distress New Mexico ecosystem - The Wildlife Society

"The sharp horns of South African oryx splay straight up from the back of their zebra-striped heads in a nearly straight line, leaving many people in awe of their beauty.

But looks aren’t everything, especially since these animals are now increasing rapidly in New Mexico, thousands of miles from their native range.

The New Mexico Game and Fish Department first introduced the South African oryx—also known as the gemsbok (Oryx gazella)—to the Tularosa Basin starting in 1969 as a game species. Dozens were released over the next few years, and this relatively small initial population took off."

@birdsandbats I'm sure you'll have something to say about this.

 

[birdsandbats]

Yes, I've been aware of this issue for a while. There's been a lot of movement from environmental groups to get rid of them all, but the state want to keep them around because people pay big bucks to hunt them.

This is the exact same situation that happened with Nilgai in Texas a decade or two ago and unfortunately I believe the outcome will be the same - they'll cause massive problems and by then it will too late.

Last I heard the Gemsbok recently expanded into Texas so the population is no longer in the control of a single state.

 

[Sarus Crane]

Roundups funded by the state and selling them to interested buyers could be an option to explore. Gemsbok have been on my exotics wish list for several years. I'm sure other exotics hobbyists would like to keep them on their current/future properties.

 

[Dassie rat]

List of mammals of New Mexico - Wikipedia is a list of mammals found in New Mexico. Could wolves be used as a form of biological control for the introduced antelopes?

 

[birdsandbats]

List of mammals of New Mexico - Wikipedia is a list of mammals found in New Mexico. Could wolves be used as a form of biological control for the introduced antelopes?

No, different habitat requirements. Wolves are found in forested highlands while Gemsbok inhabit the desert lowlands.

 

[TinoPup]

Additionally, gemsbok are way too big for wolves. It takes a really large pack to bring down anything bigger than a deer.

 

[UngulateNerd92]

Here is another option, restaurants, butcher shops, and grocers could be incentived to sell/serve their meat.

There are several interesting articles on this matter, including this one; Can We Really Eat Invasive Species into Submission?

 

[birdsandbats]

Here is another option, restaurants, butcher shops, and grocers could be incentived to sell/serve their meat.

There are several interesting articles on this matter, including this one; Can We Really Eat Invasive Species into Submission?

The problem is there has to be a demand for oryx meat first. A similar option was attempted with Nutria but no one could actually manage to sell the meat once it was collected.