Riyadh: Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve: Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has celebrated the birth of the first sand gazelle of the 2025 spring season, raising the total number of births to 94 since the launch of the reserve's rewilding program in 2022. Native to Saudi Arabia, the sand gazelle is one of 23 species chosen for reintroduction into their natural habitat as part of the program.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Reserve CEO Andrew Zaloumis said in a press release marking the event: "Every new birth is another step closer to our mission to rewild Arabia. We have already reintroduced 11 of the 23 species we are bringing back to the reserve, and we continue to build resilient populations through our growing animal husbandry program."
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the sand gazelle as vulnerable. Its estimated global wild population is just 3,000, and hunting and habitat loss have historically posed significant threats. Thanks to the conservation efforts led by royal reserves and protected areas in Saudi Arabia, sand gazelle populations are now steadily increasing.