The Arabian oryx, a species of large antelope, once inhabited much of the desert areas of the Middle East. However, the species' striking appearance made it (along with the closely related scimitar-horned oryx and addax) a popular quarry for sport hunters, especially foreign executives of oil companies working in the region.[citation needed] The use of automobiles and high-powered rifles destroyed their only advantage: speed, and they became extinct in the wild exclusively due to sport hunting in 1972. The scimitar-horned oryx followed suit, while the addax became critically endangered. However, the Arabian oryx has now made a comeback and been upgraded from “extinct in the wild” to “vulnerable” due to conservation efforts like captive breeding
The Arabian oryx , a species of large antelope , once inhabited much of the desert areas of the Middle East . However , the species ' striking appearance made it ( along with the closely related scimitar - horned oryx and addax ) a popular quarry for sport hunters , especially foreign executives of oil companies working in the region.[citation needed ] The use of automobiles and high - powered rifles destroyed their only advantage : speed , and they became extinct in the wild exclusively due to sport hunting in 1972 . The scimitar - horned oryx followed suit , while the addax became critically endangered . However , the Arabian oryx has now made a comeback and been upgraded from “ extinct in the wild ” to “ vulnerable ” due to conservation efforts like captive breeding
What contributed to the Arabian oryx rise from extinct to vulnerable?
What contributed to the Arabian oryx rise from extinct to vulnerable ?
conservation efforts
conservation efforts