A Historic Reintroduction in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve
In a momentous milestone for conservation in Saudi Arabia, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has reintroduced the Persian onager to the Kingdom, a species absent from its landscapes for over a century. The seven Persian onagers, translocated from Jordan’s Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature’s (RSCN) Shaumari Reserve in April 2024, mark the establishment of the first wild population in the Kingdom in over 100 years. This historic effort is celebrated further by the birth of the Reserve’s first onager foal—a beacon of hope for rewilding efforts in the region.
Restoring Nature’s Balance
“These are the first free-running onagers seen in Saudi Arabia since their extinction in the early 1900s,” said Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve. Known for their strength, speed, and elusive nature, the Persian onager is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 600 remaining in the wild globally. Their reintroduction not only signifies a triumph for species conservation but also restores their critical role as ecosystem engineers in the Reserve’s ambitious restoration program.
Once home to the now-extinct Syrian wild ass, the Reserve has embraced the Persian onager as its ecological successor, contributing to one of the Middle East’s largest landscape restoration projects. These onagers, known for reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h, are essential for maintaining ecological connectivity, a cornerstone of the Reserve’s Integrated Development Management Plan.
Cross-Border Collaboration
This landmark achievement highlights the power of international collaboration. The translocation was made possible through a partnership with Jordan’s RSCN, which has been conserving the wild onager since 1982. Mrs. Batool Ajlouni, President of RSCN, praised the project’s success: “The Royal Society looks forward with hope that another wild population of onagers is being established in Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve’’.
Aligning Conservation with Vision 2030
The reintroduction of the Persian onager supports the Kingdom’s Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030, underscoring the Reserve’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. Since 2022, the Reserve has successfully reintroduced 11 species, including the Arabian oryx, Nubian ibex, sand gazelle, and mountain gazelle, alongside bird species like the Griffon vulture and Pharaoh eagle owl.
Through extensive habitat restoration, the Reserve has created a thriving ecosystem, enabling reintroduced species to flourish. The rewilding of the Persian onager adds a new chapter to this journey, celebrating the resilience of nature and the Reserve’s dedication to safeguarding it.
A Legacy Reborn
For centuries, Arabic poets celebrated the wild beauty of the Persian onager. Today, this untamable creature stands as a symbol of hope and the unyielding importance of conservation. As its population grows within the Reserve, the Persian onager represents a rekindled connection between Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and its natural ecosystems.
