22-10-2025 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - ADDAX (MALE) (Addax nasomaculatus)

In its tenth anniversary year, BIOPARC Valencia is taking another step in its conservation efforts for the most threatened species. This time, it is joining the important European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for the unique Addax antelope ( Addax nasomaculatus ), which is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List , with fewer than 100 mature individuals estimated to remain in the wild. The arrival of two females from Nuremberg and Hanover (Germany) is the first step towards establishing a breeding group and also introduces a new species to the park's animal collection. These two young females, born in 2016 and 2017, will be on display in the Savannah area after an acclimatization period in their indoor enclosure. 

This African species is the largest desert ungulate , a rounded antelope with long legs and a straight profile, distinguished by its large, vertically growing horns, present in both sexes, which curl in a spiral pattern. Also known as the "white antelope" due to the color of its coat, which darkens to grayish and brownish tones in winter, it has a characteristic white "X"-shaped mask that contrasts with its dark forehead. It is not a fast runner, making it easy prey for quicker predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, caracals, hyenas, and servals (which particularly prey on calves).

Adapted to the most arid and extreme terrains, the Addax inhabited the deserts of North Africa , from vast sand dune systems to compacted desert plains. They could go months without water and even years without drinking, obtaining moisture only from the plants they ate. Their acclimatization to survive in these inhospitable areas also allowed the Addax to allow their body temperature to rise during the day and lower during the cool of the night without losing water. Their nasal passage cooled arterial blood as it flowed through the nasal membrane before reaching the brain, protecting this vital organ from overheating.

22-3-2024 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - ADDAX (MALE) (Addax nasomaculatus) NIKON P900

The addax (Addax nasomaculatus) is an antelope native to the Sahara Desert. The only member of the genus Addax, it was first described scientifically by Henri de Blainville in 1816. Addax are well-adapted to exist in their desert habitat, as they can live without water for long periods of time. Although extremely rare in their native habitat due to unregulated hunting, addax are quite common in captivity. They were once abundant in North Africa but currently are only native to a few countries. They are extirpated from Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and Western Sahara, but have been reintroduced into Morocco and Tunisia.

The addax is a spiral-horned antelope. The horns, which are found on both males and females, have two to three twists and are typically 55-80 cm (22-31 in) in females and 70-85 cm (28-33 in) in males, although the maximum recorded length is 109.2 cm (43.0 in). The lower and middle portions of the horns are marked with a series of 30 to 35 ring-shaped ridges. The coloring of the addax's coat varies with the season. In the winter, it is greyish-brown with white hindquarters and legs, and long, brown hair on the head, neck, and shoulders. In the summer, the coat turns almost completely white or sandy blonde. Their head is marked with brown or black patches that form an 'X' over their noses. They have scraggly beards and prominent red nostrils. Long, black hairs stick out between their curved and spiraling horns, ending in a short mane on the neck. The tail is short and slender, ending in a puff of black hair. The hooves are broad with flat soles and strong dewclaws to help them walk on soft sand. All four feet possess scent glands. The females of this species are smaller than the males.

2-2-2024 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - ADDAX (MALE) (Addax nasomaculatus)

The addax (Addax nasomaculatus), also known as the white antelope and the screwhorn antelope, is an antelope native to the Sahara Desert. The only member of the genus Addax, it was first described scientifically by Henri de Blainville in 1816. As suggested by its alternative name, the pale antelope has long, twisted horns – typically 55 to 80 cm (22 to 31 in) in females and 70 to 85 cm (28 to 33 in) in males. Males stand from 105 to 115 cm (41 to 45 in) at the shoulder, with females at 95 to 110 cm (37 to 43 in). They are sexually dimorphic, as the females are smaller than the males. The colour of the coat depends on the season – in the winter, it is greyish-brown with white hindquarters and legs, and long, brown hair on the head, neck, and shoulders; in the summer, the coat turns almost completely white or sandy blonde.

The addax mainly eats grasses and leaves of any available shrubs, leguminous herbs and bushes. They are well-adapted to exist in their desert habitat, as they can live without water for long periods of time. Addax form herds of five to 20 members, consisting of both males and females. They are led by the oldest female. Due to its slow movements, the addax is an easy target for its predators: humans, lions, leopards, cheetahs and African wild dogs. Breeding season is at its peak during winter and early spring. 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. The addax was once abundant in North Africa; however it is currently only native to Chad, Mauritania, and Niger. It is extirpated from Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and Western Sahara, but has been reintroduced into Morocco and Tunisia.

3-11-2021 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - ADDAX (MALE - SUMMER COAT) (Addax nasomaculatus)

The addax (Addax nasomaculatus), also known as the white antelope and the screwhorn antelope, is an antelope native to the Sahara Desert. The only member of the genus Addax, it was first described scientifically by Henri de Blainville in 1816. As suggested by its alternative name, the pale antelope has long, twisted horns – typically 55 to 80 cm (22 to 31 in) in females and 70 to 85 cm (28 to 33 in) in males. Males stand from 105 to 115 cm (41 to 45 in) at the shoulder, with females at 95 to 110 cm (37 to 43 in). They are sexually dimorphic, as the females are smaller than the males. The colour of the coat depends on the season – in the winter, it is greyish-brown with white hindquarters and legs, and long, brown hair on the head, neck, and shoulders; in the summer, the coat turns almost completely white or sandy blonde.

The addax inhabits arid regions, semideserts and sandy and stony deserts. It even occurs in extremely arid areas, with less than 100 mm annual rainfall. It also inhabits deserts with tussock grasses (Stipagrostis species) and succulent thorn scrub Cornulaca. Formerly, the addax was widespread in the Sahelo-Saharan region of Africa, west of the Nile Valley and all countries sharing the Sahara Desert; but today the only known self-sustaining population is present in the Termit Massif Reserve (Niger). However, there are reports of sightings from the eastern Air Mountains (Niger) and Bodélé (Chad). Rare nomads may be seen in northern Niger, southern Algeria and Libya; and the addax is rumoured to be present along the Mali/Mauritania border, though there have been no confirmed sightings. The addax was once abundant in North Africa, native to Chad, Mauritania and Niger. It is extinct in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sudan and the Western Sahara. It has been reintroduced into Morocco and Tunisia.

12-2-2020 BIOPARC, VALENCIA - ADDAX (MALE) (Addax nasomaculatus)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addax