The Arabian oryx, a species of large antelope, once inhabited much of the desert areas of the Middle East. However, the species' striking appearance made it (along with the closely related scimitar-horned oryx and addax) a popular quarry for sport hunters, especially foreign executives of oil companies working in the region.[citation needed] The use of automobiles and high-powered rifles destroyed their only advantage: speed, and they became extinct in the wild exclusively due to sport hunting in 1972. The scimitar-horned oryx followed suit, while the addax became critically endangered. However, the Arabian oryx has now made a comeback and been upgraded from “extinct in the wild” to “vulnerable” due to conservation efforts like captive breeding COUNT 10
QSN1 What large species of antelope once made its home in the desert areas of the Middle East? ANS1 The Arabian oryx QSN2 Why did sport hunters find the Arabian oryx to be a worthwhile quarry to hunt? ANS2 the species' striking appearance QSN3 When did the Arabian oryx become extinct in the wild due to sport hunting? ANS3 1972 QSN4 How did hunters obliterate the advantage bestowed upon the oryx by evolution? ANS4 use of automobiles and high-powered rifles QSN5 What animal has made a miraculous comeback and been upgraded from "extinct in the wild" to "vulnerable"? ANS5 Arabian oryx QSN6 What is a species of large antelope? ANS6 Arabian oryx QSN7 What did the large antelope species once inhabit? ANS7 much of the desert areas of the Middle East QSN8 What destroyed the Arabian oryx only advantage of speed. ANS8 automobiles and high-powered rifles QSN9 When did the Arabian oryx become extinct? ANS9 1972 QSN10 What contributed to the Arabian oryx rise from extinct to vulnerable? ANS10 conservation efforts