JAZAN: The National Center for Wildlife recorded more than 10,000 migratory waterbirds in the Farasan Islands Reserve during its winter 2025 census.
The findings reaffirm the reserve as a key stopover along the Red Sea and an important hub on international migration routes, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Monitoring teams documented 45 waterbird species, highlighting the reserve’s rich biodiversity and its role in providing safe, food-rich habitats for migratory birds.
These results are a part of the center’s monitoring program, aimed at improving environmental management and supporting wildlife sustainability, the SPA added.
The Farasan Islands Reserve is among the Kingdom’s most significant environmental sites, with unique marine and coastal ecosystems that attract migratory species and help maintain the Red Sea’s ecological balance.
Earlier this month, the center announced the reserve’s inclusion in the Ramsar Convention List of Wetlands of International Importance, making it the first Saudi Arabia location registered under the convention.
This milestone supports the Kingdom’s efforts to protect ecosystems, preserve natural resources, enrich biodiversity, and strengthen its role in international environmental agreements, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, the SPA reported.
