In a significant environmental step reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to restoring its natural balance, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve announced the successful reintroduction of the Arabian rabbit, making it the fourteenth species to be reintroduced under the ambitious "Restoring Wildlife to the Arabian Peninsula" program launched in 2022. This step complements the reserve's ongoing efforts to enrich the region's biodiversity.
National strategy under the patronage of the Crown Prince
These efforts fall within a broader framework overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Chairman of the Royal Reserves Council, who places particular emphasis on protecting the Kingdom's natural environment. These strategies aim to achieve environmental sustainability and preserve the unique natural components of the Arabian Peninsula, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 and the Green Saudi Arabia initiative, which seeks to increase the percentage of protected areas, develop vegetation cover, and combat desertification.
The Arabian rabbit: a pillar of ecological balance
The Arabian hare is not only important as a natural habitat, but also as a vital element in the stability of the desert food chain. This creature contributes to the natural regulation of vegetation and plays a crucial role in transporting energy to higher levels of the food chain, serving as a primary prey for many predators and birds of prey. This dual role makes it a critical factor in restoring the health and efficiency of the ecosystem within the reserve.
Details of the localization process and success indicators
The reserve's management explained that the operation involved releasing 20 carefully selected Arabian rabbits to ensure the herd's genetic diversity. To guarantee successful reintroduction, the rabbits were initially placed in specialized breeding pens to acclimatize before their full release into the wild. In an early and promising sign of the success of these efforts, field monitoring teams observed the birth of the first rabbit kit in the reserve, reflecting the suitability of the natural environment and the availability of ideal breeding conditions.
Unique characteristics for desert adaptation
The Arabian hare possesses remarkable biological capabilities that enable it to thrive in harsh desert environments. It is highly tolerant of extreme temperatures and utilizes natural camouflage to hide from predators. It also boasts impressive speeds, reaching up to 80 kilometers per hour, which is its primary defense mechanism for escaping predators. Despite these capabilities, studies indicate that its predation rate can reach 90%, highlighting its crucial role in supporting the survival of other predators and maintaining ecological balance.
Towards a sustainable and self-sufficient environment
Since the launch of the reintroduction program, the reserve has successfully reintroduced 14 species of wildlife and recorded natural breeding for six of them. These ongoing efforts aim to establish thriving and self-sufficient wildlife communities, enhancing the Kingdom's appeal as an ecotourism destination, preserving its natural heritage for future generations, and solidifying its position as a global leader in environmental conservation.
