The bubal hartebeest was the first hartebeest subspecies to be named. It ranged throughout the region north of the Sahara Desert from Senegal in the west to Eritrea and Ethiopia in the east and down to central Tanzania. Its northern range was limited by the Mediterranean Sea. It was known by the Greeks and Romans. This hartebeest was mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible as a ‘kosher” animal. The ancient Egyptians raised bubal hartebeest, used them in sacrificial ceremonies, and even had a hieroglyph for them. Large herds were still roaming Morocco in 1738. As Europeans began colonizing northern African nations, the bubal hartebeest population began to plummet. The French military slaughtered many hartebeests when they conquered Algeria. By 1867, they were limited to the north western mountains of Africa. The last one in Tunisia was killed in 1902. 12 of the last 15 animals were killed by a single hunter in Morocco in 1917. The last captive female died in Paris in 1923. The final bubal hartebeest was killed in Missour, Morocco in 1925. As Europeans began colonizing northern African nations, the bubal hartebeest population began to plummet. The French military slaughtered many hartebeests when they conquered Algeria. Although Jurassic Park is fiction, scientists are working on several de-extinction projects. In fact, in 2003 scientists did bring back the extinct Pyrenean ibex, a type of wild goat, for 7 minutes before it died, showing de-extinction is possible. The bluebuck might be a candidate. Scientists would potentially use DNA from one of the museum specimens to try to bring them back to life. Africa is home to many unique and endangered species. Although many efforts are being made to protect wildlife, poaching continues to be a real threat throughout the continent. Many African governments are launching new initiatives to help citizens to invest in their natural resources and unique wildlife. If the bubal hartebeest was brought back from extinction, would it be able to adapt and survive north of the Sahara Desert today?