Endangered Red-Necked Ostrich Chicks Hatch in Saudi Arabia
The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority has made an exciting announcement – the birth of three endangered red-necked ostrich chicks in Saudi Arabia.
After being considered extinct in the northern region of the Kingdom for a century, these ostriches have made a remarkable comeback thanks to the efforts of the ITBA. The Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday that the ITBA had initiated an ostrich-resettlement program in late 2021, with the goal of creating a suitable natural habitat for a pair of these rare birds. The initiative proved successful as the ostriches adapted well to their new environment in the reserve, ultimately producing 12 eggs in the spring of 2024.
This achievement is part of the ITBA’s broader commitment to wildlife development, biodiversity conservation, and environmental restoration. In addition to the red-necked ostriches, the ITBA has also been working to reintroduce other rare species such as the sand gazelle and Arabian oryx into their natural environments.
With a total of 138 species under its care, including Arabian wolves, various foxes, felines, hares, the Asian bustard, and other birds and reptiles, the reserve covers an expansive area of 91,000 sq. km in the northeastern part of Saudi Arabia. It has become a popular destination for eco-tourism, bird watching, and hiking enthusiasts.
Visitors to the reserve can also immerse themselves in cultural experiences by interacting with local Bedouin communities, learning about their traditional way of life, and indulging in authentic cuisine. In February, the ITBA signed a memorandum of understanding with the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives to document the heritage of the reserve. This collaboration will involve conducting archaeological surveys, excavations, inventorying inscriptions, documenting intangible heritage and social history, and identifying grazing locations.