Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The National Center for Wildlife (NCW), in partnership with the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority, has released 124 endangered animals into the reserve as part of efforts to restore native wildlife and enhance biodiversity.

The release included 100 rhim gazelles, 10 idmi gazelles and 14 Arabian oryx, species that were once widespread in the region but saw their numbers decline due to habitat loss and overexploitation.

The initiative aims to restore native species, strengthen ecosystem resilience and enhance biodiversity across the Kingdom’s protected areas.

NCW Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Qurban said the release reflects the center’s continued commitment to returning endangered species to their natural habitats and supporting ecological stability.

He said the move builds on previous successful releases carried out under NCW’s breeding and reintroduction programs and contributes to the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030, which target healthier ecosystems and sustainable environments.

Saudi Arabia’s wildlife restoration efforts also include the reintroduction of the critically endangered red-necked ostrich in 2025 into the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve.

The species, historically known as the “camel bird,” was selected as an ecological replacement for the extinct Arabian ostrich as part of broader biodiversity restoration and sustainable ecosystem management efforts.