Restoring the addax
Once roaming in vast numbers across the Sahara’s arid landscapes, the addax has faced a dramatic decline. Now, with fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild, this nomadic desert antelope is one of the world’s most endangered species, listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Our actions for addax conservation
Sahara Conservation has been pivotal in conserving the addax to protected areas across its former range, including Niger, Chad and Morocco.
Leveraging our expertise from the successful scimitar-horned oryx project, we began a phase II of the project, with a broader multi-species reintroduction effort within the Ouadi Rimé – Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve, with a first translocation of addax in 2019.
In 2023, we welcomed a 5th transfer of captive bred addax from Abu Dhabi, bringing the total number of animals released to 115. With previously reintroduced addax reproducing, there are now over 150 individuals roaming free in the reserve. The figure is particularly significant because it surpassed the total number of addax estimated to remain in the wild when the status of the species was last assessed for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, in 2016.
Additionally, in partnership with African Parks, we supported the reintroduction 10 addax to the Ennedi Natural and Cultural Reserve, further enhancing a wider plan to re-establish the species across its former range in Chad.
In Morocco, we participated in 2019 in the reintroduction initiative in the M’Hamid Nature Reserve in southeast Morocco, marking a historic step with the first ever reintroduction of addax to the wild in Africa.
In Niger, our past efforts have been critical for the conservation of the addax. We conducted the first formal population estimate in 2007, in what was going to be the Termit Massif Reserve, which highlighted the urgent need for conservation actions. Subsequent surveys reinforced the critical status of the species and resulted in comprehensive action plans for their conservation, guiding our efforts to protect and expand the addax population in the region.
Monitoring and research
To ensure the success of these reintroductions, we use advanced GPS and satellite tracking to monitor the released addax over two years. This allows us to gather critical data on their movement, behavior, and habitat use, informing ongoing conservation strategies. Our research extends to the genetic diversity of both wild and captive addax populations, helping breeding programs management and ensuring the genetic health of reintroduced populations
Efforts are underway to save the species in the wild and reintroduce lost populations, making sure the addax are well on their way to following in the footsteps of the scimitar-horned oryx!
Our partners
