RIYADH: The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority has announced the birth of three endangered red-necked ostrich chicks.

The birds have been considered extinct in the northern region of the Kingdom for a century and have now returned thanks to the efforts of the ITBA, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

The ITBA had initiated an ostrich-resettlement program in late 2021, aiming to establish a suitable natural habitat for a pair of the birds. This initiative bore fruit as the ostriches successfully adapted to the reserve’s environment, producing 12 eggs in the spring of 2024.

The ITBA has aimed to reintroduce rare species into their natural environments, as part of a broader commitment to wildlife development, biodiversity conservation, and environmental restoration.

Among the numerous rare creatures benefiting from these efforts are the sand gazelle and Arabian oryx.

The ITBA has 138 species in its care including Arabian wolf, various types of foxes, felines, hares, the Asian bustard among other birds, and reptiles.

The reserve covers an area of 91,000 sq. km in the northeastern part of the Kingdom. It is a popular destination for those interested in eco-tourism, bird watching and hiking.

The reserve also offers cultural experiences, allowing visitors to interact with the local Bedouin communities, learn about their traditional way of life, and enjoy authentic cuisine.

In February, the ITBA signed a memorandum of understanding with the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives to document the heritage of the reserve.

The pact will ensure collaboration to conduct archaeological surveys and excavations, inventory inscriptions, document intangible heritage and social history, and identify grazing locations.

RIYADH: The US Embassy in Riyadh celebrated the 248th anniversary of Independence Day on Thursday with a reception hosted by US Ambassador Michael Ratney. 

The ambassador welcomed guest of honor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Riyadh Region mayor, along with Saudi officials, and hundreds of Saudi guests, as well as visitors from Washington, including members of the US Congress.  

The space-themed Independence Day reception served as a symbolic celebration of the future of the US-Saudi cooperation in space, highlighting the profound benefits and possibilities of space exploration, research, and commercial development.

Ratney said the theme reflects the “shared ambition of the United States and Saudi Arabia to embrace opportunities in space, positioning both countries as pioneers in this frontier of innovation.” 

The event evoked nostalgia for past achievements, such as the 1969 moon landing, while emphasizing ongoing advancements in space sciences, particularly commercial space exploration. 

Ratney highlighted Saudi pioneers in space travel, such as Prince Sultan bin Salman, and astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi and Ali Al-Qarni. 

An art installation, “Museum of the Moon,” by artist Luke Jerram, featured NASA’s high-definition imagery of the lunar surface. 

According to the US Embassy’s statement, the collaboration between the US and Saudi Arabia continues to advance shared interests in diplomacy, commerce, culture, and more.

The US remains dedicated to enhancing shared US-Saudi shared interests in security and in fostering prosperity in the region, while also exploring new avenues for partnerships in areas such as the arts, education, entertainment, and tourism, it said.

Both countries are poised to explore further cooperation, including potential joint ventures in space, reflecting a vision for an even stronger US-Saudi relationship in the future, the statement added.