RIYADH: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority is home to a diverse range of wildlife including 350 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Among prominent species found in the reserve are Arabian oryx, Arabian sand gazelle, ibex, Arabian wolves and foxes, wildcat, sand cat, wild rabbit, bustard, golden eagle, owl, and curlew.
The reserve, with its mountains, plains, and plateaus, covers more than 130,000 sq. km taking in Harrat Al-Harrah, Al-Tubayq, Al-Khunfah, along with the Jouf, Hail, Tabuk, and Northern Borders regions.
The authority works to protect and encourage wildlife by conserving biodiversity and reintroducing endangered species back into their natural habitats.
As well as its 14 geographical formations, the reserve is rich in six valuable minerals.
Situated near to the Saudi border with Jordan, it was recently added to the World Database on Protected Areas, becoming the first Saudi reserve to be registered on the site.
The database serves as the official source for statistics on protected land and is used by government agencies and international organizations.
