Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has announced the birth of its 15th Arabian oryx calf since the launch of its rewilding program in late 2022.

The program is as part of the reserve’s Integrated Development Management Plan (IDMP), launched under the leadership of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Reserve.

According to a press release, CEO of the Reserve Andrew Zaloumis said: “The birth of the reserve’s 15th oryx is a milestone in our conservation work and our contribution to the regional conservation effort to establish sustainable wild populations of this culturally iconic Arabian species across its native terrain.”

The Arabian oryx, once extinct in the wild across the Arabian Peninsula, was declared extinct in the 1970s due to overhunting and loss of habitat. Sustained conservation and reintroduction programs have since led to its reclassification as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, highlighting its remarkable recovery.

The reserve’s habitat restoration program continues to support the reintroduction of native species, strengthen ecological resilience, and restore connectivity across landscapes — proof of the reserve’s commitment to Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.