Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Royal Reserve Expands Ranger Corps With New Recruits On World Wildlife Day

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve celebrated World Wildlife Day on March 3 by welcoming its fifth ranger corps. This group of 66 new rangers, consisting of 40 women and 26 men from local communities, completed a nine-week training program. They join the existing team of 180 rangers to enhance conservation efforts within the reserve.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is notable for having the Middle East’s first and largest female ranger corps. Women make up 34% of the reserve's 246 rangers, significantly higher than the global average of 11%. CEO Andrew Zaloumis stated, "Our rangers at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve are pivotal to us achieving the reserve’s vision and mission. These local people, from across the reserve, know its land, its flora and fauna, and its communities. They are the natural guardians of the Kingdom’s rich natural and cultural heritage."

The training program was led by Ali Albalawi, who oversees capacity building and sustainable resource use at the reserve. The nine-week course equips recruits with essential skills such as conservation management, patrolling, data collection, cultural heritage management, tracking, fitness, self-defense, first aid, and 4x4 driving. Albalawi expressed pride in training local community members: "I take great pride in training rangers from the local community in Prince Mohammad bin Salman Reserve. When the protector comes from the same place, there is a profound sense of responsibility towards the nature they know and cherish."

Over 18,000 applications were received for this coveted program. Candidates underwent rigorous written and physical tests along with multiple interviews to secure a spot in this esteemed training initiative. The comprehensive curriculum ensures that these rangers are not only skilled but also deeply connected to their environment.

The newly graduated rangers will collaborate with Special Forces for Environmental Security and the Border Guard. Their responsibilities include ecological monitoring to guide conservation strategies and supporting animal reintroductions. They also manage wildlife populations and oversee development projects to ensure adherence to environmental assessments.

The reserve invests in its personnel through ongoing training and career development opportunities. Rangers have pathways to advance into leadership roles such as team leaders or area managers. This aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 by fostering careers in conservation that contribute directly to national goals.

Ali Albalawi highlighted that these rangers serve as true ambassadors of nature: "These rangers are not just trained to perform specific tasks — they are true ambassadors of nature." He emphasized their role in connecting people to their land while conserving it for future generations.

With inputs from SPA