Brookfield, Ill. — For the second time in less than a year, an addax has been born at Brookfield Zoo. The female calf, born on March 28, is a much-welcomed addition as this African antelope is critically endangered in the wild. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), it is estimated there may now be less than 100 addax left in the wild and perhaps fewer since the last survey that was conducted in 2016. The species is at serious risk of becoming extinct in the wild.

The nearly month-old calf, who weighed just over 15 pounds at birth, and her mom, 6-year-old Simone, can be seen on the northwest end of the Zoo along the 31^st Street walkway. Other addax at the Zoo include a 3-year-old female named Ivy and Simon, a male calf also born to Simone in July 2022.

The pairing of Simone and Ishnala was based on a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Addax Species Survival Plan (SSP). An SSP is a cooperative population management and conservation program for select species in accredited North American zoos and aquariums. Each plan manages the breeding of a species to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable.

Currently, there are more addax living in professional care facilities in North America than in the wild. Once abundant throughout Africa’s Sahara Desert, the only known remaining viable population is in the Termit/Tin Toumma region of Niger. The main threat to the species is hunting/poaching for its meat, horns, and hide in addition to oil exploration.

The addax is also known as white or screwhorn antelope for its white coat and impressive spiraling and twisted horns that range from 2½ to 3½ feet in length. It is a true desert-adapted antelope—the only one of its genus (species group). Addax are able to get water from the plants they eat. Additionally, they have broad flat hooves that keep them from sinking in the desert sand.

Those interested in helping care for the addax at Brookfield Zoo can contribute to the Animal Adoption program. For $35, a recipient receives the Basic Package, which includes a 5-inch x 7-inch color photograph of an addax, a personalized certificate of adoption, a fact sheet on the species, an Animal Adoption program decal, and an invitation to the exclusive 2023 Animal Adoption summer event. To purchase, visit www.CZS.org/AnimalAdoption.