Saudi reserves ban hunting to protect wildlife

RIYADH: The Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority has banned hunting as a part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the Kingdom’s environment and wildlife, particularly species facing extinction.

The authority oversees the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed and King Khalid royal reserves, where the ban comes into force.

The authority works to maintain ecological balance, preserve biodiversity, and mitigate the negative impacts of poaching, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

By forbidding hunting, the reserves can ensure that wildlife can prosper within the protected areas.

The authority will take legal action against violators to protect the Kingdom’s natural resources, the SPA reported.

Monitoring teams will intensify field patrols, utilizing advanced technology in cooperation with other authorities.

Since the beginning of 2024, the authority’s teams have recorded 290 environmental violations in the two reserves. These cases have been taken up under environmental legislation.