RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority announced the first documented sighting of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) within the reserve in the Riyadh region.
A total of 103 cameras were deployed across diverse habitats within the reserve, covering both the Riyadh and Eastern regions, to document large and medium-sized mammals that are difficult to observe through traditional methods due to their elusive behavior and rarity.
The field cameras captured images of two golden jackals within the Tanha Oasis.
This represents the first confirmed documentation of the species’ presence within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve and, more broadly, in central Saudi Arabia.
The Tanha Oasis features an artificial lake filled with fresh water and is surrounded by native plants, including Sidr and acacia trees, creating an environment that attracts diverse wildlife, including mammals and birds.
