New addition at Riverside Discovery Center

The Riverside Discovery Center has added addax to their animal collection. Addax are native to the deserts of northern Africa and are found only in parts of Niger and Chad; they are critically endangered. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is working through zoos across the country to save these animals through the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program which involves breeding the animal in captivity and educating the public about these amazing animals.

The all male group at the RDC come from the Omaha Zoo and the RDC is pleased to provide additional capacity for the breeding program and hold these animals in reserve.

Addaxes are in the antelope family and have long spiral horns and are also called the "screw horn" antelope. They are well adapted to life in the desert and rarely need to drink water. Instead they get all the water they need from the plants they eat. In the wild they are primarily nocturnal, moving around and eating during the night and resting in the shade during the heat of the day. Their hooves are also adapted for walking in sand and are splayed open like a camels. In captivity they become more active during the day but probably the best time to see them would be in the morning hours. Their new home is in the enclosure on the southern end of the chimpanzee area where the moose used to be.

The RDC also has another litter of Swift Fox, with four youngsters joining their parents. These kits were first seen on Saturday. Swift Fox are an endangered species in Nebraska and are part of the AZA SSP in captivity. Being nocturnal the best time to see these beautiful little animals is on cooler, cloudy days at the beginning or end of the day.

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