RIYADH: The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has celebrated the birth of the first sand gazelle of the 2025 spring season, bringing the total number of births to 94 since the launch of its rewilding program in 2022.
Native to Saudi Arabia, the sand gazelle is one of 23 species selected for reintroduction into their natural habitat as part of the program, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Reserve CEO Andrew Zaloumis said: “Every new birth is another step closer to our mission to rewild Arabia.”
He added: “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, with hunting and habitat loss historically posing significant threats.
Thanks to conservation efforts led by royal reserves and protected areas in Saudi Arabia, sand gazelle populations are now steadily increasing, the SPA reported.
