Saudi Arabia records five oryx births at Neom’s nature reserve: The nature reserve of Saudi Arabia’s Neom has welcomed five newborn oryxes, marking the first time in over a century an oryx has been born in the northwestern region of the country, The National reports. The oryx newborns — along with the births of 25 Arabian sand gazelle fawns and eight Nubian ibex offspring — reflects the success of Saudi Arabia’s planned rewilding initiative in its first breeding season.

Four species of wildlife were reintroduced to Neom’s desert: Oryx, ibex, mountain gazelles, and sand gazelles were reintroduced for the first time in 100 years to Neom’s desert last December as part of the first phase of KSA’s rewilding initiative.

REMEMBER- KSA is earmarking USD 25 mn to protect endangered species as part of its USD 186 bn Saudi Green Initiative (SGI). The Kingdom said last year it will channel USD 25 mn to ensure the longevity of indigenous species including Arabian leopards, ibexes, and oryxes. Under SGI, the Sharaan Nature Reserve will also work to restore 100 hectares of land for ecological rehabilitation projects by 2030. Approximately 82.7k square kilometers will protect some 500 species of flora and fauna including 55 species native to the Arabian Peninsula.

Neom has ambitious wildlife conservation goals: Neom Nature Reserve aims to become home to one of the world’s largest rewilding and re-greening programs, preserving 95% of the region’s land and sea for nature, it said. The program includes the National Center for Wildlife Development wildlife breeding initiative which aims to “restore wildlife abundance, reintroduce rare or locally near-extinct wildlife species and ensure protection of wildlife from illegal hunting.”

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