Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has recorded a rare sighting of the white-tailed eagle, marking the first confirmed appearance of the migratory species in Saudi Arabia in more than 20 years.

The eagle was spotted and photographed by Ali Al-Faqih, Director of Biodiversity and Research at the reserve, in Wadi Thalbah, one of the Kingdom’s most significant wetland habitats and among the reserve’s strictly protected zones.

The sighting underscores the reserve’s growing importance as a sanctuary for migratory birds and reflects its expanding efforts to restore habitats in line with the Kingdom’s broader environmental goals.

As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to protect 30 percent of its land and sea by the end of the decade, restore ecosystems, and enhance biodiversity.

Covering 24,500 square kilometers of land and marine environments, the reserve contains 15 unique ecosystems and an exceptional level of biodiversity with more than 50 percent of all species recorded in the Kingdom documented within its boundaries.

Since 2021, the reserve has conducted six multi-season biodiversity studies in collaboration with experts from Saudi Arabia and five other countries.

These surveys have so far recorded 247 bird species, including seven global range extensions.

The findings represent 49 percent of all bird species documented in the Kingdom, a figure that continues to grow with ongoing research.

The appearance of the white-tailed eagle outside its typical range in the Northern Hemisphere highlights the importance of continuous monitoring during migration seasons.

Data collected through these efforts is vital to strengthening conservation strategies within the reserve and supporting national and regional biodiversity initiatives.

The reserve is one of eight royal reserves in Saudi Arabia. Stretching across 24,500 square kilometers — from volcanic fields to the depths of the Red Sea — it links NEOM, The Red Sea project, and AlUla, and is home to major developments such as PIF’s Wadi Al-Disah project and Red Sea Global’s Amaala.

Although it covers just 1 percent of Saudi Arabia’s land area and 1.8 percent of its marine space, the reserve is home to more than half of the Kingdom’s recorded biodiversity, making it one of the richest natural areas in the Middle East.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve operates under the oversight of the Royal Reserves Council, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It forms an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s environmental sustainability programs, including the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative.