Makkah: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority announced the release of 124 rare Houbara Bustards into designated habitats within the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve. This initiative is part of the authority's ongoing program to reintroduce endangered species into the reserve's natural environment. Field teams are monitoring the released birds, ensuring their well-being and systematically documenting data.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the Houbara Bustard is known for its ground-nesting behavior in shallow, unlined depressions often located near low shrubs. The birds range from 55 to 75 centimeters in length, with adult males typically weighing between 1,800 and 3,200 grams, while females range from 1,200 to 1,700 grams. The species is noted for its wide daily foraging range of up to 60 kilometers and feeds on grains, vegetation, insects, and worms. Female Houbara Bustards usually lay two to three eggs per nesting cycle.
The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, covering 130,700 square kilometers, is the largest wildlife reserve in the Middle East and serves as a critical sanctuary for a variety of native species. The reintroduction of the Houbara Bustard underscores the authority's strong commitment to biodiversity conservation and efforts to restore populations of species threatened by environmental degradation and habitat loss.