RIYADH — A total of 55 wildlife births have been recorded across Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Royal Reserve and King Khalid Royal Reserve by mid-second quarter of 2026. The births include oryx and gazelles, reflecting a recovery in wildlife and the success of efforts to reintroduce endangered species.
The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority (IARDA) said the births included nine Arabian oryx and 46 sand gazelles. Of the total, 40 were recorded in the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve, while King Khalid Royal Reserve accounted for the remaining 15.
The authority said the figures reflect the effectiveness of its field programs aimed at enhancing ecological balance and supporting the sustainability of biodiversity. IARDA said the results reflect cooperation with the National Center for Wildlife, as part of integrated national efforts to implement release and reintroduction programs. These initiatives have helped increase wildlife’s natural reproductive rates while restoring and improving the stability of their habitats.
The new births, the authority said, mark an important step toward supporting the continued survival of wildlife species whose populations have declined in recent decades due to environmental challenges such as overhunting and desertification.
IARDA said the efforts are part of national plans to protect natural heritage and promote environmental sustainability. These positive indicators highlight the success of conservation and reintroduction programs and contribute to the Kingdom’s efforts to preserve biodiversity, the authority said, while enhancing a sustainable development path that balances environmental protection with development for future generations.
Source: Saudi Gazette