Latest news with #NationalCenterForWildlife
Asharq Al-Awsat
26-05-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Wildlife Center Launches Partridge Breeding Programs to Reintroduce Species into Natural Habitats
The National Center for Wildlife launched four partridge breeding programs as part of a scientific initiative to gradually breed and reintroduce these birds into their natural habitats, contributing to the sustainability of ecosystems. The four programs focus on the common partridge, Arabian partridge, Philby's partridge, and sand partridge, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday. They are being implemented through the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Center for Wildlife Research, which operates under the National Center for Wildlife. These efforts follow international best practices in captive breeding and utilize advanced technologies to monitor biological performance and record data with high accuracy. The National Center for Wildlife launched four partridge breeding programs as part of a scientific initiative to gradually breed and reintroduce these birds into their natural habitats. (SPA) The initiatives are led by specialized national cadres with expertise in managing breeding and reintroduction programs. The center has already achieved promising results, producing large numbers of these species as part of a preparatory phase for their release into suitable habitats in accordance with rigorous scientific and environmental standards.
Asharq Al-Awsat
13-05-2025
- Science
- Asharq Al-Awsat
KAUST Study: More Large Mammals Roamed Arabian Peninsula than Previously Thought
A new study by researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), published in the Journal of Biogeography, has identified 15 large mammal species that inhabited the Arabian Peninsula over the past 10,000 years - three times more than previously recognized. According to KAUST, this study offers the most comprehensive list to date of large mammals from this period and establishes a benchmark for rewilding efforts in the region. It also serves as a key scientific reference supporting the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, as well as the programs of the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) and the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification. "Restoration is not just about plants, for animals play a key role in vegetation communities. In highlighting which large mammals became extinct, we are providing information that will help governments decide which mammals to reintroduce in the future,' said KAUST senior project manager and contributor to the study Christopher Clarke. During the study, researchers analyzed thousands of petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) collected during field expeditions as well as from shared social media content, which gave researchers access to a large collection of petroglyphs unknown to the scientific community. The study revealed that most of the 15 mammal species come from Africa, including lions and cheetahs, and identified two species never previously recorded in the Arabian Peninsula: the greater kudu and the Somali wild donkey. This study aligns with national efforts to restore ecological balance, particularly in light of the pioneering initiatives launched by NCW, including the reintroduction programs for the Arabian oryx and the cheetah.
