AlUla Highlights Biodiversity And Wildlife Conservation On Gulf Wildlife Day

AlUla Governorate is using its participation in Gulf Wildlife Day to present its rich natural assets and long-term conservation work. The governorate is described as one of Saudi Arabia’s important biodiversity areas, where geological variety, wildlife habitats, and conservation planning meet to support environmental sustainability on both national and regional levels.

The geography of AlUla underpins this role, as the area includes volcanic mountains, sweeping valleys, striking rock formations, and a mix of natural habitats that host many species. This diverse terrain strengthens AlUla’s environmental importance and makes the governorate a central site for studying and protecting ecosystems across the Kingdom.

Five nature reserves form the core of AlUla’s wildlife protection network, each contributing to different ecological goals. These protected areas are Wadi Nakhlah, Harrat AlZabin, Harrat Uwayrid, Gharameel, and Sharaan. Within these reserves, authorities conduct phased releases of wildlife species under structured scientific programmes designed to rebuild ecological balance and stabilise wildlife populations.

The Royal Commission for AlUla manages extensive initiatives that position the governorate as a leading national model for wildlife care. These initiatives focus on protecting biodiversity, improving ecosystem sustainability, and running breeding programmes for endangered species. Species bred in controlled environments are gradually returned to their native habitats within AlUla, where monitoring teams evaluate adaptation and long-term survival.

Special attention is directed toward the Arabian leopard, which is regarded as one of AlUla’s rare environmental symbols. The Royal Commission for AlUla runs comprehensive breeding and reintroduction programmes for the species and has also created a global environmental conservation fund to support international efforts that protect endangered wildlife and conserve biodiversity worldwide.

These actions take place in close partnership with the National Center for Wildlife, which cooperates on endangered species reintroduction, prepares protection plans, and shares scientific knowledge, thereby supporting national coordination in wildlife conservation. Through its participation in Gulf Wildlife Day, AlUla underlines a continuing commitment to protect natural resources, present its environmental wealth as both national and human heritage, and highlight the stable relationship between people and nature in the governorate.

With inputs from SPA