Cooperation between the USA and UAE

There are two large photos in the article. The first is Nubian ibex (I am fairly certain) and the caption talks about Arabian oryx. The second is a cheetah and the caption lists it as a leopard. Also the brief article says "the Arabian oryx conservation programme ...was an example of an area in which US bodies could learn from the UAE." They make no mention of the fact that US bodies are the ones that saved the Arabian oryx from extinction! I am glad (really I am) that staff from San Diego are visiting UAE but this article is just a fluff piece.
 
There were a few hundred Arabian Oryx held in Middle East private collections when Phoenix had the "world's herd". While American zoos had a role in the oryxs' recovery, they aren't solely responsible.
 
gerenuk said:
There were a few hundred Arabian Oryx held in Middle East private collections when Phoenix had the "world's herd". While American zoos had a role in the oryxs' recovery, they aren't solely responsible.
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Fair enough and a good point, though I have never before heard that the number in private collections was that high (a few hundred).
 
Yeah I was surprised by it too when I looked into the oryx programme at Phoenix. The real value of Phoenix's project was that it was supposed to represent the most genetic diversity left in Arabian Oryx at the time. I found out about the private collections because some of Phoenix's animals were sourced from there.
 
I believe the total number of Oryx caught in the wild in operation Oryx was 3 I believe that London zoo add their 1 female as well to the then World herd and another 5 animals were aquired
 
The piece comes from The National, which is one of the English-language UAE state newspapers. The issues with incorrect wording most probably arise from a journalist unfamiliar with natural history. Looking at his bio, his specialism is politics, education and health. Doesn't excuse poor research and fact-checking however.
 
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