RIYADH: Marking a milestone in wildlife conservation, Saudi Arabia has successfully reintroduced the Persian onager to its native habitat after more than 100 years, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
This conservation effort was a collaboration between the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority and Jordan’s Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. Earlier this year, seven Persian onagers were transported from the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve in Jordan to the royal reserve in Saudi Arabia.
The rewilding process has been a success, highlighted by the birth of the first foal in the reserve, symbolizing the species' adaptation to its new environment. The initiative underscores the importance of restoring ecosystems to ensure the survival of endangered species.
Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, called the reintroduction a transformative step in biodiversity conservation. He noted that the Persian onager, a species celebrated in Arabic poetry and classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, now roams freely in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the Kingdom's broader ecological restoration goals.
