A Miraculous Life Overcoming Adversity: Scimitar-horned Oryx Calf 'Hope' Makes His Safari Debut on June 11!

Adventure World (Shirahama, Wakayama) is pleased to announce that 'Hope,' a Scimitar-horned Oryx calf born on March 23, 2026, will make his public debut in the exercise yard starting Thursday, June 11, 2026.

Hope's mother is 15 years old, marking the oldest first-time delivery for this species in Japan. The birth was an arduous journey for both mother and calf. Hope was born in a temporary state of apnea, but thanks to the dedicated resuscitation efforts of the staff and veterinarians, he let out a strong cry and has been growing steadily since.

Until now, he has been undergoing adaptation training in a small yard in front of the giraffe quarters. He is now accustomed to living alongside animals such as giraffes and elands and is spending his time calmly. On Thursday, June 11, he will finally join the herd of herbivorous animals. We hope you will watch warmly over Hope as he takes this new step.

Public Viewing Information - Start Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026 - Time: 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM - Location: Safari World, Savanna Area

* Viewing arrangements may be changed or canceled due to weather or the animal's physical condition. * Depending on his location, Hope may not always be visible.

About Hope the Scimitar-horned Oryx calf - Date of Birth: March 23, 2026 - Sex: Male

About Scimitar-horned Oryx - Classification: Artiodactyla, Bovidae - Scientific Name: Oryx dammah - Distribution: Once found in the Sahara Desert and Sahel regions, wild populations have vanished since the latter half of the 20th century due to overhunting and environmental change. In recent years, captive-bred individuals have been reintroduced into the wild in Chad, Tunisia, and Morocco. - Breeding: Reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years old. Following a gestation period of approximately 240 to 260 days, they give birth to a single calf. Newborns weigh about 6-7 kg and grow under the protection of their mothers. They are born with a light beige coat and grow into the characteristic white color of the species around five months of age. - Lifespan: Approximately 20 years in captivity. - Characteristics: Body length is approximately 1.5 meters, characterized by long, curved horns. Unlike other oryx species, their horns curve backward, reaching lengths of up to 1.2 meters. They are not purely white but have reddish-brown markings on their neck, flanks, and hind legs. They can survive long periods without water, obtaining moisture solely from their diet.