The natural habitat of the addax are arid regions, semideserts and sandy and stony deserts. The addax is a critically endangered species of antelope, as classified by the IUCN. Although extremely rare in its native habitat due to unregulated hunting, it is quite common in captivity.
This begs the question “Are addaxes endangered?”
(Image credit: Chicago Zoological Society.) The addax is a species of antelope. Addaxes are also known as white antelopes and the screwhorn antelopes. They are critically endangered ; there may be only three remaining in the wild . Extinction may not be imminent, however; about 2,000 are kept in zoos and on ranches around the world.
, and critically endangered. Addax is an antelope that is also known as a white antelope or screw horn antelope due to its twisted horns. It was first described by Henry Blaiville in 1616 and its name has an Arab origin and it means a wild animal with crooked horns.
The addax could be mistaken for a ghostly mirage in the Sahara Desert. But this antelope is perfectly adapted to survive harsh conditions there. Now, it’s on the verge of extinction thanks to poaching and habitat loss. Scorching temperatures, virtually no rainfall, massive sandstorms and little vegetation: Life in the Sahara Desert is harsh.
How rare is an addax?
The addax in its native habitat is very rare but in captivity it is quite common. One of the biggest captive breeding herds is in Hanover Zoo in Germany. The addax is in the “horse antelopes” family because of its horse-like build and its mane.
The chosen answer was throughout Europe, Israel, Libya, Egypt, North America, Japan and Australia, there are over 600 Addax in captive breeding programmes. There are also around another 1,000 in private collections through the world.
Where can I see an addax?
There is a strong captive population of the Addax throughout the world. Throughout Europe, Israel, Libya, Egypt, North America, Japan and Australia, there are over 600 Addax in captive breeding programmes. There are also around another 1,000 in private collections through the world.
How many addax are left in the world?
Addax can be found in only Niger and Chad and maybe along the border of Mali and Mauritania. Only five hundred wild specimen are left. It might be even possible that there are less than 200 Addax left in the wild. Most of them are located in the Niger while the smaller part maybe of 100 or less are in Chad.
Although, more than 1600 live in captivity all around the world. Additionally, around 550 live under semi-wild conditions in fenced in areas in Morocco and Tunisia. This is a total of around 2450 Addax left in the entire world.