Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day

On August 16 2025, get ready to not only celebrate a beautiful species of oryx, but a ground-breaking conservation success story; one of many instigated by the zoo community. 

Once Extinct-in-the-Wild due to overhunting, overgrazing and desertification, the scimitar-horned oryx became re-established in the plains of Tunisia thanks to the incredible efforts of zoos and partnerships with NGOs and governing bodies.  

Like Love Your Zoo/Love Your Aquarium week, scimitar-horned oryx day extends as a celebration of how zoos and aquariums continually turn the tide on species/habitat decline and extinction.

There are many world animal days – but this is the first one established by the BIAZA community! 

We held a vote during Love Your Zoo/Aquarium 2024 to bring a lesser-recognised animal into the limelight. Being an animal close to the hearts of many in the BIAZA sector, the scimitar-horned oryx (nominated by Marwell Wildlife) came out on top! 

Stay updated on Scimitar-Horned Oryx Day right here, as we develop our resources (downloadable below).

Want to contribute? Email [email protected]

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