Riyadh: In a milestone for its mission to rewild Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has reintroduced the critically endangered red-necked ostrich, known in ancient times as the ‘camel bird’, to the reserve as a biological replacement for the extinct Arabian (Syrian) ostrich.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the Arabian ostrich (Struthio camelus syriacus) was once widespread across the deserts of Arabia but was driven to extinction in the early 20th century due to overhunting and habitat loss. The red-necked ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus), also known as the North African or Barbary ostrich, the closest remaining genetic relative of the Arabian ostrich, has been selected for reintroduction based on its biological similarity and ability to survive in arid desert environments.

The founder population of five red-necked ostriches has been reintroduced to the reserve as part of its ambitious board-approved rewilding program to restore historical levels of biodiversity across its 24,500 km² terrestrial and marine area. The ostrich is the 12th of 23 historically occurring species being reintroduced as part of the reserve’s long-term ecosystem restoration strategy.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve CEO Andrew Zaloumis said: ‘The return of ‘camel birds’ to their historic rangelands supports the restoration of desert ecosystems shaped historically by large grazing and browsing species. Ecosystems can only be considered fully restored when lost species, or their ecological equivalents, are returned. This is why we consider the return of the red-necked ostrich a landmark step towards the reserve’s restoration and the establishment of a founder population for Saudi Arabia’s national breeding and restoration programs.’

The reintroduction is part of the reserve’s ongoing partnership with the National Center for Wildlife and fellow royal reserves, supporting the commitments of Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative to enhance biodiversity, restore desert ecosystems, and protect 30% of the Kingdom’s land and sea by 2030.

Historically, the Arabian ostrich ranged across the deserts of the Middle East. They were revered in Arabic poetry for their speed and strength. Evidence of their former presence can still be found throughout the modern-day reserve, where sandstone petroglyphs depict ostrich herds and hunting scenes. Combined with modern science and osteological finds, these historical records and petroglyphs have helped establish the ecological baseline that informs the reserve’s restoration strategy to restore the species that once shaped these landscapes.

Today, wild red-necked ostriches are listed as critically endangered, with fewer than 1,000 individuals estimated to remain, scattered across Africa’s Sahel region. Well known for their speed, feathers, and flamboyant mating displays, ostriches are essential ecosystem engineers, playing a significant role in seed dispersal, insect control, and maintaining healthy rangeland habitats for other species.

Their return to the reserve strengthens the Kingdom’s commitment to restoring ostriches to their historical range, building on the success of national breeding and restoration programs led by the National Center for Wildlife in collaboration with Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve, Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, Aramco, NEOM, and AlUla Royal Commission.

One of eight royal reserves, the 24,500 km² Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stretches from the lava plains of the Harrats to the deep Red Sea in the west, connecting NEOM, Red Sea Global, and AlUla. It is home to PIF’s Wadi Al Disah project and Red Sea Global’s Destination AMAALA.

The reserve encompasses 15 distinct ecosystems. At just 1% of the Kingdom’s terrestrial area and 1.8% of its marine area, it boasts over 50% of the Kingdom’s species, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.

The reserve is committed to restoring and conserving the natural and cultural environment. This includes the reintroduction of 23 historically occurring native species, 12 of which have already been reintroduced, including the Arabian oryx, Persian onager, sand gazelle, and mountain gazelle, as part of a wide-ranging rewilding program.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of eight royal reserves established by royal decree and overseen by the Royal Reserves Council chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The reserves program is integrated with Saudi Arabia’s wider sustainability and conservation programs, including the Saudi Green and Middle East Green Initiatives.