Monarto Safari Park Adds 1st Animals to Expansion

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: January 30, 2021 3:59 pm

The herd of scimitar horned oryx at Monarto Safari Park

Photo Credit: Zoos SA/ Tim Jenkins

Monarto Safari Park have celebrated the release of 38 Scimitar Horned Oryx in to their new 550ha (1360acres) expansion area, Wild Africa. They are the first animals to be released in to stage one of the park’s A$40 million safari and accommodation expansion.

This new expansion area will feature a range of safari expansions alongside a luxury resort being built by Australian businessman and private investor Gerry Ryan OAM.

The Scimitar Horned Oryx is a striking antelope from North Africa that has large, curved horns which look similar to a scimitar sword.

Monarto Safari Park’s Director Peter Clark says the release of 38 individual oryx is not only special because it’s a first for the park, but even more so because, sadly, large herds of this species don’t exist in the wild.

“The Scimitar-horned Oryx is listed as extinct in the wild by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and has been for many years,” says Peter.

“To see these animals roaming in grasslands as they would in the wild is a magnificent sight and stark reminder of how vital conservation work is, not just for the oryx, but for species all over the world.”

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The 38 oryx join 14 blackbuck and 3 ostrich as the first residents of the Etosha reserve, stage one of the Wild Africa development. This area is named for the Etosha National Park in Namibia.

Eventually Wild Africa will become home to giraffe, waterbuck bongo, nyala, eland, zebra, hippos and southern white rhinoceros.

The area has been surrounded with 40km (25miles) of rhino proof fences. Inside it has been planted with specific grasses which will provide food for the animals and give the appearance that you are in Africa.

Construction began a few years ago and is expected to be complete in early 2022 with construction on the accommodation and resort planned to begin in the middle of this year.