Riyadh: Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has announced the discovery of a new bat species, Vansonia rueppellii (Rppell’s bat), in Saudi Arabia. This significant finding increases the total number of bat species in the Kingdom to 32, with 18 of these recorded within the Reserve.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the discovery was made in collaboration with KAUST Beacon Development. Researchers recorded the Vansonia rueppellii in the Reserve for the first time in October 2023. This finding was published in the peer-reviewed journal Zoology in the Middle East in November 2024. Known to inhabit Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, and Iraq, this bat species had not been previously recorded in Saudi Arabia.
“The discovery of Rppell’s bat highlights the rich biodiversity found within Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve,” stated CEO Andrew Zaloumis. The Reserve, accounting for 56% of the Kingdom’s bat species, reflects its ongoing ecological restoration efforts. The discovery serves as a testament to the Reserve’s ded
ication to enhancing scientific knowledge and sharing findings with the global conservation community.
David Wells, associate director of environment at KAUST Beacon Development, emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary conservation collaboration. “This paper provides evidence that positive conservation collaboration supports the goals of the Reserve, the Saudi Green Initiative, and Vision 2030,” he noted, underscoring the expanded understanding of bat diversity in Saudi Arabia.
Bats, consuming up to 40% of their body weight in insects nightly, play a crucial role in pest control and disease reduction. Additionally, fruit-eating bats are vital pollinators and seed dispersers, contributing significantly to ecological restoration efforts.
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, one of eight royal reserves, covers 24,500 km² and connects NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and AlUla. It is home to PIF’s Wadi Al Disah project and Red Sea Global’s Amaala. Despite covering just 1% of Saudi Arabia’s terrestria
l area, it houses over 50% of the country’s species, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.
The Reserve is committed to restoring the natural and cultural environment, including reintroducing 23 historically native species as part of a rewilding program. The Royal Reserves Council, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, oversees its integration with Saudi Arabia’s broader sustainability initiatives.
