Injured large Oryx antelope found wandering Las Cruces is euthanized

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - A Las Cruces resident snapped a photo of an oryx wandering through the city on Sunday along the campus of New Mexico State University.

"They are beautiful creatures," said Nikki Cross, who told ABC-7 she used to see the animals while she worked at White Sands Missile Range. "It was definitely crazy to see one on campus!"

Cross said she spotted the large antelope around 9:20 a.m. near the intersection of El Paseo Road and University Avenue.

According to the National Park Service, dozens of Oryx were brought to White Sands in the 1970s from Africa. Today, thousands are estimated to live in the area. Officials said it was a bit unusual to see an Oryx wander down that far into Las Cruces.

A New Mexico Game and Fish Department spokesperson said the animal "did have an injury and was displaying signs of being sick, so he was humanely euthanized because of that injury."