Critically endangered calf born at Marwell Zoo
There are fewer than 100 mature addax left in the wild
Last updated 17th Mar 2023
Guests at Marwell Zoo have been able to witness the birth of a critically endangered calf.
The male addax was born at the wildlife park near Winchester at just after 12.30pm on Wednesday (March 15th) after mum Amelie went into labour earlier that morning.
People were able to watch the incredibly rare birth through the viewing window of their enclosure at the zoo's Arid Lands exhibit.
The new arrival has not been named yet but is reported to be feeding well having found his feet shortly after he was born.
In the wild, addax have been hunted to near extinction, with their meat, horns and hide prized by hunters and their habitat eroded as a result of oil exploration and cattle farming.
It's thought there are fewer than 100 mature addax left in the wild in Africa, with numbers continuing to decrease.
They are now listed on CITES Appendix I, which means that trade in the animal or any part of its body is illegal.
It’s thought there are only 30 to 90 mature individuals left in the wild with numbers continuing to decrease.
Amelie arrived at Marwell in 2020 from Woburn Safari Park following a breeding recommendation from the European Ex-situ breeding Programme.
This is Amelie’s second calf since arriving at Marwell, following the birth of a male, Ephedra, in March last year.
Whilst the new arrival and its mother bond, the zoo is asking guests to be particularly quiet in this building and not to tap the glass.