Saudi royal reserve authority records 55 wildlife births in conservation boost

SPA

RIYADH, April 13 - Saudi Arabia's Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority said it had recorded 55 new wildlife births in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve and King Khalid Royal Reserve by mid-second quarter 2026, in a sign of wildlife recovery and the success of protection and reintroduction efforts.

The authority said the births included nine Arabian oryx and 46 sand gazelles, also known as Reem gazelles.

Of the total, 40 births were recorded in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve, while 15 were recorded in the King Khalid Royal Reserve, reflecting the effectiveness of field programmes aimed at strengthening ecological balance and supporting biodiversity sustainability.

The authority said the results were achieved in cooperation with the National Center for Wildlife, as part of national efforts to implement release and reintroduction programmes that have helped raise natural breeding rates, restore native habitats and improve species stability.

It said the births marked an important step in supporting the continuity of wildlife species whose numbers have declined over past decades due to environmental pressures including overhunting and desertification.

The authority said the positive indicators reflected the success of conservation and reintroduction programmes and supported the kingdom's broader efforts to preserve biodiversity and promote sustainable development for future generations.