In a historic environmental step reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to restoring ecological balance and preserving biodiversity, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve announced the successful reintroduction of the Asian houbara bustard to its territory after an absence of more than 35 years. This significant initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at revitalizing wildlife in the Arabian Peninsula, in line with the environmental objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
A historic return of an Arab environmental icon
The reserve witnessed the release of 20 houbara bustards, an event that represents the culmination of fruitful cooperation between the reserve's management, the National Center for Wildlife Development, and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Foundation for Houbara Conservation. This strategic partnership aims to establish sustainable, self-reproducing wild populations of Asian houbara bustards in their natural habitats within the Kingdom, thereby enhancing the health of local ecosystems.
Modern technologies to ensure sustainability
In line with adopting modern scientific methodologies, Olivier Combreau, CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Foundation for Houbara Conservation, explained that 10 of the released birds were fitted with advanced satellite tracking devices. This step is crucial for gathering accurate data on the behavior of the reintroduced birds, their ability to adapt to the wild environment, monitoring their movement patterns and habitat use, and identifying potential threats they may face.
The cultural and environmental importance of the houbara bustard
The houbara bustard has been an integral part of the cultural and environmental heritage of the Arabian Peninsula for thousands of years, associated with falconry and ancient Arabic poetry. This species once bred in large numbers in the Kingdom, and migratory birds used the Arabian Peninsula as a safe haven during the winter. However, overhunting and the degradation of vegetation cover in recent decades have led to a sharp decline in their numbers, making this reintroduction program crucial for restoring the ecological balance.
Supporting the Saudi Green Initiative
These efforts fall within the broader context of the “Saudi Green” initiative, which aims to increase protected areas and safeguard endangered species. The data collected from the tracking devices will contribute to improving future release plans, not only within the Kingdom but also across the region, further solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in nature conservation and wildlife sustainability.
