The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Natural Reserve Development Authority today stressed that Rhim gazelles (the Arabian sand gazelle) that appeared in a video that went viral on social media platforms are gazelles that the authority released in the area in 2021 along with oryxes and red neck ostriches, adding that it also released more gazelles in May as part of efforts to resettle rare species in their indigenous habitats.
The authority noted that it had monitored the increasing numbers of gazelles in several locations within the reserve, with a positive indication of the success of rare species’ welfare initiatives, their increasing numbers in their natural habitats, the promotion of biodiversity and the restoration of environmental balance in the reserve, as part of the national program for the release and resettlement of wild animals in national reserves and parks.
The authority valued community members’ awareness, commitment and effective cooperation to ensure a safe environment for wild animals, free from abuse and poaching, noting that conservation and protection of rare and endangered species is one of the fundamental pillars of the work and strategic objectives of royal reserves and their aspiration to restore coexistence and natural harmony between urban growth and economic activities, from one side, and the protection of nature and the care of wild animals, from the other.
The authority also aspires to contribute to effectively developing community environmental awareness and care to protect nature to achieve the reserve’s goal of being a destination for ecotourism per the best international standards.
Source: Saudi Press Agency