Even before you arrive to Qatar, you can detect their fascination of the national animal, the Arabian Oryx. Being their national mascot, you can notice the Oryx on Qatar Airways’ planes and all over Doha.
The Arabian Oryx is an astonishing animal which has resurrected from extinction by Arab and international efforts. In the early 1970s, the Arabian Oryx was classified as extinct in the wild, with few communities living in captivity in private collections. Through efforts and special care, the White Oryx, as it is also known, was reintroduced to the wild and classified as vulnerable, making it the first animal to ever return from extinction, in 2011.
Its population today is estimated to total 1,000 Oryxes in the wild, and around 7,000 in captivity worldwide.
The mysticism of the White Oryx dates back to the times of Aristotle, as the famous thinker believed it to be the prototype for the mythical unicorn. There are speculations stating that, from a certain angle, it seems as though the Oryx’s straight long horns are actually one. Other explanations include the hollow bone nature of the Oryx’s horn, that disable it from regrowing in case one it lost.
Today, the Oryx is the national animal of Jordan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. The animal is celebrated to the extent that a Qatari oryx named “Orry” was chosen as the official games mascot for the 2006 Asian Games in Doha.
The White Oryx can reach lengths of 160 cm and shoulder height up to 120 cm, weighing between 80 kgs and 90 kgs.
