Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Royal Reserve Launches Middle East’s First Female Sea Ranger Corps For Conservation

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has introduced the Middle East's first female sea ranger corps, marking a significant step in conservation efforts. This initiative was revealed on World Ranger Day and is part of the reserve's team of 246 rangers, with women making up 34% of the force. These rangers patrol a 170-kilometer stretch of the Red Sea coastline alongside male colleagues and government authorities.

Reserve CEO Andrew Zaloumis emphasised the importance of including women in the workforce, aligning with Vision 2030. "Since the reserve’s inception, inclusion of women in the workplace has been a priority, in line with Vision 2030," he stated. He noted that when they first recruited rangers in 2022, they encouraged female applicants. Today, women constitute 34% of the ranger force at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, surpassing the global average of 11% for female rangers.

Rangers at the reserve play a crucial role in achieving its mission to "Rewild Arabia" and support Saudi Green Initiative goals. They protect natural and cultural assets both on land and sea while ensuring safe visitor experiences. Their responsibilities include ecological monitoring to guide conservation strategies, supporting animal reintroductions, managing wildlife populations, and overseeing development projects to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

Zaloumis highlighted that rangers receive specialised training, enabling them to pursue impactful careers in conservation. This aligns with Vision 2030's objectives. The demand for these roles is high, with over 35,000 applications received so far for positions as rangers at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve.

Female rangers perform duties similar to their male counterparts within mixed patrol teams across the reserve's vast terrestrial area of 24,500km². Since 2022, these rangers have conducted nearly 35,000 patrols. Dominique du Toit, Senior Regional Manager at the reserve, praised their dedication and discipline in acquiring new skills through training programs.

Ruqayyah Awadh AlBalawi has been a ranger for two years and is now a qualified sea ranger. She expressed her pride in being among the first women to learn swimming at the reserve. "I have discovered a whole new world underwater," she said. "I dream of the day when a woman serves as the skipper of the Reserve’s marine patrol boat."

Marine Conservation Efforts

The reserve's marine area spans 3,856km² and covers 1.8% of Saudi Arabia's territorial waters. It hosts diverse marine life including 64% of coral species and 22% of fish species found in the Kingdom. It also supports Hawksbill and Green turtles, Spinner dolphins, Dugongs, Whale sharks, and vital gray mangrove ecosystems.

Marine rangers patrol this critical seascape using two custom-designed boats to ensure its protection and conservation.

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve continues to advance its conservation mission by fostering an inclusive workforce that contributes significantly to protecting Saudi Arabia's natural heritage.

With inputs from SPA