Gemsbok  (Oryx gazella)

All subspecies of gemsbok have suffered population and range declines (2). The Beisa oryx and fringe-eared oryx have particularly declined in Somalia, Uganda and Sudan, but are still quite widespread in Ethiopia and pars of Kenya and Tanzania (6) (7). The habitat of the gemsbok continues to be encroached upon by humans and their livestock (1) (6). In addition, gemsboks face the threat of hunting (1), for their meat, hides and horns (3), which has the potential to greatly impact populations due to their slow reproductive rate (4).

The gemsbok occurs in many major national parks (6), where it receives protection from the threats of habitat loss and hunting. Therefore, whilst the gemsbok is not considered to yet be threatened with extinction, it is somewhat reliant on the continued enforcement of protected areas, and thus IUCN has classified it as Lower Risk / Conservation Dependent (1).