25-05-2025
Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia's largest natural reserve
TURAIF: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR), Saudi Arabia's largest, has so far resettled more than 1,245 wild animals, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The reserve has also recorded over 120 births among its wildlife, SPA said, citing records of the KSRNR Development Authority as it marked International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22.
Located in the Kingdom's north, the reserve is home to over 290 species of migratory birds, more than 550 types of wild and grazing plants, and over 350 species of various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Among these animals are the rare deer, the Arabian gazelle, the Arabia oryx, and the kestrel, a medium-sized bird of prey.
KSRNR covers an area of 130,000 square kilometers, spanning the provinces of Hail, Tabuk, Jouf, and the Northern Borders.
The reserve hosts a diversity of physical geography, consisting of 14 geographic formations of mountains, plains, and plateaus, and rare monuments dating back to about 8,000 BC.
Also within the reserve are villages, such as Al Qurayyat and Tubarjal towns in the Jouf and the city of Turaif in the Northern Borders.
The authority has said the reserve is dedicated to preserving unique natural habitats, transforming into a haven for wildlife, a crucial stopover for migratory birds each year, and a natural sanctuary with its balanced environment and diverse landscapes.
Since its inception, the authority has focused on raising environmental awareness within the local community to bolster its conservation efforts. It aims to enhance natural habitats, minimize both natural and human threats, and achieve its ambitious strategic goals.
Among its latest initiative was a voluntary seed scattering in six valleys on reserve territory, including Nayal Valley of Niall Shuaib Abu Talihat, Fager Valley, Shaib al Qilayyib, Sarbout Plath, Mot and Masaha Valleys.
'The two-month initiative aims to develop vegetation and increase the green area of the reserve, with the participation of several voluntary associations and volunteers, by scattering an estimated four tons of seeds,' the authority posted on its website.
