Addax

Addax (Addax nasomaculatus) are the most desert-loving antelope species. With their pale summer coats and large hooves, they are highly specialised to live in some of the hottest and driest regions of the Sahara Desert, one of the harshest habitats on the planet.  

Historically, herds of addax roamed across the Sahelo-Saharan region, however, this species has suffered catastrophic declines due to hunting, habitat degradation, and, most recently, the impact of oil exploration. This species is now on the brink of extinction in the wild, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining, in an area covering less than 1% of their former range. Addax have been classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered since 2000.

RZSS WildGenes are working alongside their partners to reverse addax decline. Addax are found in many captive collections around the world, and these animals provide a chance to boost the wild population. RZSS WildGenes are supporting the addax reintroduction programme by carrying out analyses to assess genetic diversity in the captive populations and helping to select individuals for release back into the wild.