The scimitar-horned oryx of northern Africa is noted for its spectacular curved horns slanted in a high curve over almost its entire body. These pretty animals, part of the antelope family, are about four feet high at the shoulders and-except for those horns-similar to a small horse. Another closely related species is the Arabian oryx, making its home in the desert country near Saudi Arabia.
But their coloring is very different than that of horses. The faces of one group of the scimitar-horned are grayish-white, with small brown patches over the fronts and sides and brown continuing down to the top of their front legs. From there to the divided hoofs the coloring matches their faces. Their backs (which have a small hump on them), sides and stomachs all are grayish white and look very smooth. Another of this species has reddish-tan coloring over their bodies, but black and white faces and legs.
The Arabian oryx looks much like its close relatives, only its body is almost totally white except for a bit of black on its head, and all four legs are totally black. The horns of the Arabian are also outstanding, but not quite as long as the others. They stand nearly straight up from the top of the head.
All these oryx species have been victims of cruel hunters who wanted the horns for trophies. This went on for so long that they almost entirely disappeared from their homelands. Fortunately, nature lovers have captured some for zoos in other countries, and these have given birth to little ones in the safety of such shelters. This program included zoos in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as the Wild Animal Park in San Diego, California, where they are getting along just fine.
Also included in these programs was the help of a wealthy man who set up a most interesting reserve on his own property near Fort Worth, Texas. There he has devoted much time to the oryx group, as well as other wild, imported animals. He has worked closely with the American zoos in getting selected pairs back to the desert lands where they really belong.
As these animals are shipped back to their homelands, laws are now being made that strictly forbid hunting them, and guards patrol the desert areas where the animals graze. With this kind of protection, it is expected the herds will soon grow into large numbers.
As the beginning Bible verse expresses it, these spectacular animals again remind us of the wonders of God's creation that accounts for everything seen and unseen on the earth. That includes each of us, too, and His Word, the Bible, tells us of His love inviting us to be His very own children by accepting His Son, the Lord Jesus, as our Savior. Have you done this? If not, wait no longer, for He is coming soon to take His own home to heaven.