The endangered Addax cub arrived at Disney’s Animal Kingdom cabin in time to celebrate Mother’s Day with its mom.
On May 10, the Disney Parks blog announced the birth of Julien, a now two-month-old Addax calf, the first male Addax calf born at an Animal Kingdom resort — in what Disney calls “an incredible victory for the population of this land of the species.”
Two feet tall with “big hair”, Julien was named after his parents, mum Juniper and dad Allen. Addax is a rare species of antelope native to the Sahara desert in Africa.
As noted by the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, the critically endangered addax faces threats in the wild, including drought, hunting and “habitat loss from oil drilling and agricultural expansion.”
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Addax Julien calf photographed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Landon McReynolds/Walt Disney World
The Disney Parks blog reported that the species has an estimated population of less than 100 in the wild and is currently on the verge of extinction. There are more than 180 in Addax in managed care at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited organizations.
Julien and his parents are members of the larger herd at Animal Kingdom Lodge, one of 21 AZA-accredited facilities that house addax.
“Julien’s birth is an incredible victory for the population of this species and for our team of veterinarians and animal keepers who can’t wait to welcome another addax as they are so critical in the wild,” Disney’s blog posted. “This birth is just one of many examples that testify to the level of care our animals receive.”
Animal keeper Lindsay Cooper and veterinarian Dr. Deidre Fontenot care for Juniper at Walt Disney World with best-in-class care and health screenings.
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Addax Julien calf photographed at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Landon McReynolds/Walt Disney World
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According to Sahara Conservation, addax were once “found in large numbers in vast arid areas” before their populations declined due to “the advent of modern weapons and transportation, and more recently, oil exploration and civil unrest.”
“Today, the addax, a nomadic desert-dwelling species, is the most endangered ungulate in the Sahara, and quite possibly in the world, and is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List,” its website said.
Addax can only be found in two small populations in the wild today, in the Tin Toumma Desert in eastern Niger and the Eguey-Bodélé region of Chad, according to Sahara Conservation.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education