Why Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islands are a haven for flamingos 

Special Why Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islands are a haven for flamingos 
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Farasan Islands offer a relatively safe haven for the flamingos, with minimal human disturbance and ample space for the birds to roost and forage. (Supplied)
Special Why Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islands are a haven for flamingos 
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Flamingos are attracted to the shallow, saline lagoons of the Farasan Islands, where they can feed on a diet rich in shrimp, algae and other small organisms. (SPA/File photo)
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Updated 24 August 2024
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Why Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islands are a haven for flamingos 

Why Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islands are a haven for flamingos 
  • Thanks to conservation efforts, the Farasan Islands remain an important migratory waystation for the greater flamingo 
  • From habitat protection to anti-poaching measures, Saudi Arabia is safeguarding the future of this beloved avian species

RIYADH: In the turquoise waters off Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast lies a hidden gem that is quickly gaining recognition as a sanctuary for one of the world’s most charismatic birds: The greater flamingo.

The Farasan Islands, an archipelago off the southwestern coast of Saudi Arabia, boast a biodiverse ecosystem that has attracted these elegant creatures for decades.

While the Kingdom is often associated with desert landscapes, the Farasan Islands present a stark contrast — a lush haven that plays host to thousands of migratory birds each year, including the iconic flamingo.




Flamingos are attracted to the shallow, saline lagoons of the Farasan Islands, where they can feed on a diet rich in shrimp, algae and other small organisms. (SPA/File photo)

Saudi Arabia, through its National Center for Wildlife, or NCW, has undertaken efforts to conserve and protect its greater flamingo population as part of a broader commitment to preserve its natural heritage and promote biodiversity in line with Vision 2030.

The NCW, in collaboration with local authorities, has implemented environmental regulations and established protected habitats to ensure the safety and sustainability of these migratory birds.

These include a ban on hunting and the designation of wetland areas as protected zones, and measures to prevent collisions with high-voltage power lines.

DID YOUKNOW?

• Flamingos are social birds that live in large colonies often consisting of thousands of birds.

• They have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years in the wild and even longer in captivity.

• Flamingos have a distinctive courtship display that involves movements and vocalizations to attract potential mates.

These efforts are seen as crucial in maintaining the delicate balance of the Farasan Islands’ ecosystem, which supports not only flamingos but also a variety of other wildlife species.

The Farasan Islands are one of the largest island groups in the Red Sea, situated about 50 km off the coast of Jazan.

The archipelago consists of more than 170 islands, characterized by their coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, which provide essential habitats for a diverse range of marine and terrestrial species.




Aerial view of a boat touring the lush mangroves and waterways of the Farasan Islands. (Saudi Tourism Authority photo)

Flamingos are attracted to the shallow, saline lagoons of the Farasan Islands, where they can feed on a diet rich in shrimp, algae and other small organisms. More than 4,000 flamingos have been observed there during the migration season.

“They begin to appear along the coasts of the Kingdom and in the Farasan Islands at the start of winter, by the end of November, and continue until the end of winter,” Mohammed Shobrak, a bird expert and adviser to the NCW, told Arab News.

“Their numbers vary during the migration season in the Farasan Islands. They are more commonly found along the coasts than in the islands.” 

The islands offer a relatively safe haven for the flamingos, with minimal human disturbance and ample space for the birds to roost and forage.




Flamingos are more commonly found along the coasts than in the islands. (Supplied)

The greater flamingo is the largest and most widespread species of flamingo, found across Africa, southern Europe and South Asia. These birds are known for their striking pink plumage, which they acquire from their diet.

“The substance responsible for this color is beta-carotene, which is found in algae and crustaceans,” Shobrak said.

“Variations in the levels of this substance in food across different regions may cause color differences, and the physiology of the species may also contribute to these variations among flamingo birds that share the same types of food.

“Additionally, another behavioral study on groups in the Americas indicates that birds with brighter pink-orange colors tend to be more aggressive while feeding.” 

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While flamingos are not permanent residents of the Farasan Islands, they migrate to the region during the winter months, attracted by the warm climate and rich feeding grounds.

Each year, thousands of greater flamingos make the journey from their breeding grounds in Africa and southern Europe to the coasts of Saudi Arabia.

The Farasan Islands, with their extensive wetlands and shallow lagoons, provide an ideal stopover for these birds during their long migration.

While flamingos do not breed on the islands, they spend several months there, feeding and building up their strength before continuing their journey.

The beauty and ecological significance of the Farasan Islands has not gone unnoticed. 

“Horizon,” a new documentary produced by the Konoz Initiative, highlights the rich biodiversity of Saudi Arabia, with a special focus on the Farasan Islands and their flamingo population.

The documentary is part of a broader effort to raise awareness about Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage and the importance of conservation.

“Horizon” provides viewers with a rare glimpse into the lives of flamingos on the Farasan Islands, showcasing their feeding habits, social behaviors and interactions with the environment.




A mesmerizing view of flamingos is shown in this screen grab from the documentary “Horizon,” produced by the Konoz Initiative, and streamed on Netflix.

The film also explores the broader ecosystem of the islands, highlighting the coral reefs, mangroves and other critical habitats that support a wide range of species.

Through stunning visuals and expert commentary, “Horizon” brings the beauty of the Farasan Islands to a global audience, emphasizing the need for continued conservation efforts in the region.

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to protect the greater flamingo and other wildlife on the Farasan Islands are part of a larger commitment to environmental sustainability.

The Kingdom has made significant strides in recent years to enhance its conservation policies, including the establishment of protected areas and the enforcement of strict environmental regulations.




Farasan Islands is also some endangered species, including gazelles and green turtles.

These measures are in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 social reform and economic diversification agenda, which seeks to promote sustainable development and preserve the nation’s natural resources for future generations.

In addition to protecting flamingos, Saudi Arabia has taken steps to conserve other endangered species on the Farasan Islands, including gazelles and green turtles.

The islands are home to a variety of marine life, including dolphins, dugongs and a wide range of fish species, all of which benefit from the Kingdom’s conservation initiatives.

Conservation efforts, coupled with increased awareness and education, are helping to ensure that flamingoes and other species will continue to grace the shores of the islands for years to come.
 

 


KSrelief volunteer medical concludes in Kyrgyzstan

KSrelief volunteer medical concludes in Kyrgyzstan
Updated 21 November 2024
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KSrelief volunteer medical concludes in Kyrgyzstan

KSrelief volunteer medical concludes in Kyrgyzstan

RIYADH: A volunteer medical project for open-heart surgery and catheterization by Saudi aid agency KSrelief in Kyrgyzstan has ended.

The campaign in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz capital, ran from Nov. 9-16 and involved 26 volunteers from various medical specialties.

The team examined 100 patients, conducted 15 open-heart operations and performed 75 therapeutic and diagnostic catheterizations, all of which were successful.

The project was part of several volunteer medical initiatives focusing on heart surgeries.


KSrelief distributes 400 shelter packages in Afghanistan

KSrelief distributes 400 shelter packages in Afghanistan
Updated 21 November 2024
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KSrelief distributes 400 shelter packages in Afghanistan

KSrelief distributes 400 shelter packages in Afghanistan

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief recently distributed shelter kits and tents to 200 families in the Baghlan province of Afghanistan, benefiting 1,200 people.

The support is part of a shelter project to help people returning to the country from Pakistan and those affected by flooding.

The scheme is set to distribute 4,882 essential items such as tents, blankets, plastic mats and other vital supplies, aiding a total of 29,292 people.

It is part of the Kingdoms ongoing worldwide humanitarian and relief efforts through KSrelief.


Saudi crown prince congratulates newly elected prime minister of Mauritius

Saudi crown prince congratulates newly elected prime minister of Mauritius
Updated 21 November 2024
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Saudi crown prince congratulates newly elected prime minister of Mauritius

Saudi crown prince congratulates newly elected prime minister of Mauritius
  • Mohammed bin Salman also wished the people of Mauritius further progress and prosperity

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a message of congratulations on Wednesday to Navin Ramgoolam, who became prime minister of Mauritius this month.

The prince conveyed “his sincere congratulations and best wishes” to the premier and wished “the friendly people of the Republic of Mauritius further progress and prosperity,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Ramgoolam was sworn in as prime minister a week ago, following his coalition’s triumph in the general election. It is the 77-year-old veteran politician’s fourth term in office; he previously served as prime minister between 1995 and 2000, and for two consecutive terms from 2005 to 2014.


Lessons Saudis can learn from the Qatar World Cup to benefit their 2034 tournament bid

Lessons Saudis can learn from the Qatar World Cup to benefit their 2034 tournament bid
Updated 21 November 2024
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Lessons Saudis can learn from the Qatar World Cup to benefit their 2034 tournament bid

Lessons Saudis can learn from the Qatar World Cup to benefit their 2034 tournament bid
  • During discussion at Misk Global Forum in Riyadh, the CEO of World Cup Qatar 2022 tells of the challenges and opportunities his country encountered hosting the tournament
  • He says one of the biggest hurdles was the intense media scrutiny and the constant battle against public perceptions of the country and region

RIYADH: Nasser Al-Khater, the CEO of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, shared his thoughts on some of the challenges and opportunities his country encountered when hosting one of the biggest global sports events, and passed on some words of wisdom during a discussion at the 2024 Misk Global Forum in Riyadh with Hamad Albalawi, the head of the Saudi Arabian Sports Federation’s Bid Unit for the 2034 World Cup.

Describing the 2022 event as “the best-ever World Cup in the history of the tournament,” Albalawi said 3.2 million tickets were sold, a 17 percent increase compared with the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and it was the most sustainable tournament to date.

As such, football authorities worldwide can learn many lessons from Qatar about hosting future World Cups and other major events, he added.

“You saw a World Cup that put the fan at the very center … that created an experience for fans that were able to engage with the tournament beyond the 90 minutes,” Albalawi said on Tuesday, the second and final day of the Misk event.

However, hosting the competition did not come without significant challenges. Some of the biggest that authorities had to overcome included the problems caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the logistics of organizing a World Cup in a country undergoing great infrastructural development, and issues related to the welfare of workers, Al-Khater said.

However, one of the most significant hurdles was the intense media scrutiny and the constant battle against public perceptions.

“From the bid stage, the challenge was people not taking us seriously, not seeing us as a serious contender,” Al-Khater said.

Toward the end of the bidding process, as people started to realize how strong a contender for host Qatar really was, “they tried to discredit us as much as possible,” he added.

Al-Khater spoke in particular about the effects reporting by the mainstream media has on public perceptions. He said the task of trying to counter this by educating people had at times distracted from the crucial job of actually organizing a major, unforgettable event.

However, people eventually began to tire of the constant narrative, he added, started to question it and reflect on social and political issues in their own countries, and in doing so they slowly realized a double standard might be at play.

Al-Khater said 1.4 million people visited Qatar to experience the World Cup firsthand, many of whom raved about the safety and beauty of the country, and the hospitality of the Arab world; an image that jarred with the picture painted by the mainstream media.

“Women said, ‘We have never felt so safe at football matches in our lives,’” he added.

Albalawi said that when the Saudi bid team entered the room with their counterparts from other nations, he realized that the average ages of the members of those other teams were in the 50s and 60s, while the average age of the Saudi team was between 31 and 32.

“It made me think to myself, do we have the experience? Do we have the knowledge? Do we have the know-how?” he admitted.

But after reflecting on Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification, and how much it has achieved in the past nine years, he reconsidered his initial reaction.

“Although we do not have 20 years of experience, we have projects that we have managed that are more sophisticated than any other set of projects around the world,” Albalawi said.

“The Saudi youth is one of the most capable youths of the world. We have a lot of energy, we have a lot of will, we have very capable minds and we have a demographic that is the envy of every nation in the world.”

Asked how confident he is that the Saudi bid to host the 2034 World Cup will be successful, Albalawi replied: “Very confident. Saudi Arabia is a story of growth … of remarkable transformation. It will be written in the history books for decades and centuries to come; this era and this age will be remembered for the achievements we have created.”

Al-Khater noted that the experience of hosting the World Cup had a big effect in his country on young people in particular.

“The youth in Qatar were quite lucky that they have been able to witness a country that was growing together and living a sense of nationwide pride,” he said.

This feeling of pride and national unity instilled a sense of teamwork at the macro and micro levels that was reflected throughout society, from large national projects to small teams working in schools and universities, he added.

Great efforts were made to ensure the youth of the country were included in the planning process for the World Cup by creating programs in schools and online tools, for example, to help them understand the significance of the event to Qatar, and by recruiting students to work as volunteers at the event itself, Al-Khater said.

The World Cup can be used as a “developmental tool” and the youth of a nation are “your biggest ambassadors,” he added.

“Everywhere else, it is just the World Cup; for our part of the world, this is a strategic project and it is an ambition that goes far beyond sports.”

Albalawi’s message to Saudi youth was to embrace the prospect of the Kingdom hosting 2034 World Cup as an opportunity to “become your best in anything you do, whether that is the best engineer, football administrator, health professional, architect,” and “to see that growth in yourself and the connections around you all the way through.” He added: “The World Cup is an enabler to all of the different projects.”

Another piece of advice he offered to young people was to be diligent in everything they do, always triple-check that they have considered everything they need to, and to ask questions of everyone who can help them ensure they always stay ahead of the game.

Al-Khater’s advice to the people of Saudi Arabia was: “Always keep the big picture in mind because we can sometimes, through our own panic, veer off and start looking at micro issues.

“You need to hold yourself and start to zoom out. Learn how to manage up. Expectations are quite high in this part of the world, rightfully so. One big task that I have to go through is learning how to manage up and not just delivering on the ground.”


Wonder District brings worlds of fun to Jeddah

Wonder District brings worlds of fun to Jeddah
Updated 20 November 2024
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Wonder District brings worlds of fun to Jeddah

Wonder District brings worlds of fun to Jeddah
  • The festival spans 10 immersive zones, each offering a unique experience designed to captivate visitors of all ages

JEDDAH: The newly opened Wonder District in Jeddah is drawing visitors looking for entertainment, thrills and cultural immersion until Dec. 11

Located on King Abdulaziz Road, it is part of the Jeddah Events Calendar and a major highlight of the coastal city’s entertainment scene this season.

The festival spans 10 immersive zones, each offering a unique experience designed to captivate visitors of all ages, including adrenaline-pumping adventures to relaxing cultural experiences.

The Wonder Jungle section lets young visitors interact with animals including hens, raccoons, tortoises, rabbits, parrots, peacocks, flamingos, ducks, squirrels and even kangaroos.

The lush, verdant area is filled with wildlife exhibits, nature trails and peaceful corners for relaxation.

The Let’s Play, also for young visitors, is an energetic space brimming with interactive games and activities featuring iconic characters from beloved franchises such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, Barney, Scrabble, Cocomelon and more.

For those seeking a thrill, the 500 sq. meter Spooky Circus delivers a spine-tingling adventure. From creepy clowns and haunted houses to glow-in-the-dark rooms and suspenseful surprises, the section offers a thrilling journey into the world of mystery and fright.

At the Wonder Job, visitors can put their skills to the test in an exhilarating race against the clock. With only 60 seconds on the countdown, participants must unlock as many safes as possible to win prizes, with one lucky safe containing the ultimate luxury reward.

The excitement is amplified as the action is streamed live on screens outside the zone, creating an electrifying atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

Smiley Beach, made from soft, sponge-like materials, creates a unique vibe where visitors can dive into a bubble pit or enjoy exciting activities like the blob jump, zipline, rope swing and slide. The beach zone also comes alive with DJ performances and light shows, making it an ideal spot to unwind or dive into high-energy fun.

For those craving adventure, Blast Off’s inflatable adventure zone uses varying air pressure to launch visitors into the air, creating a thrilling and exhilarating experience. It features trampolines, interactive ball pools, colored sand pools and slides, offering a unique twist on classic inflatable fun.

Entertainment comes to life at the Wonder Theater with a wide range of performances, including live stand-up comedy, captivating theatrical productions and kids’ shows.

Mohammed Hamza, who went to Wonder District with his children, said: “This is exactly what Jeddah needed; a place where the whole family can have fun while learning and exploring.

“We’ve never seen a jungle, theatrical shows and other similar interactive zones all in one place. We’ve been here for five hours and still have three more zones to explore!”

The retail area showcases the best of local craftsmanship, with 15 shops featuring fashion, accessories and artisanal products from talented local designers. Visitors can explore and purchase items that reflect the region’s rich culture and creativity.

“Customers have been thoroughly enjoying our designs and unique offerings. It has been an incredible opportunity to showcase our brand products. Sales have been remarkably good,” said Mohammed, a staff member at Rysh Fashionable.

Faiza Ahmed, another visitor, told Arab News: “The place is massive, and each zone really deserves at least 45 minutes to enjoy. The crowd management is excellent, and we’re not waiting in long lines; things are moving quickly.

“Smiley Beach was a huge hit with my kids, especially the bubble pit and lively music created such a fun atmosphere. The Spooky Circus is another standout feature, especially since it’s one of the few places where children can fully participate. The weather is perfect, and having such an open-air entertainment space is really enjoyable.”

Deena Ali, a visitor from Makkah, said: “Wonder District has quickly become a popular spot for entertainment and cultural exploration. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that visitors from nearby cities are eager to come. It offers activities that are unlike anything we’ve seen during Jeddah Season.”