Al-Ula: On World Wildlife Day, observed annually on March 3, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve officially welcomed its fifth ranger corps after their successful graduation from the reserve’s nine-week training program. The new recruits, 40 women and 26 men, all from local communities within the reserve, join the existing ranger team of 180 to further the reserve’s conservation work.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is home to the Middle East’s first, and largest, female ranger corps. Of the 246 rangers at the reserve, 34% are women, well above the global average of 11%.
Reserve CEO Andrew Zaloumis emphasized the significance of the rangers, stating, “Our rangers at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve are pivotal to us achieving the reserve’s vision and mission. These local people, from across the reserve, know its land, its flora and fauna, and its communities. They are the natural guardians of the Kingdom’s rich natural and cultural heritage.”
The selection process for the ranger training program was competitive, with over 18,000 applications received. Candidates underwent written and physical tests and multiple interviews to secure a spot in the program. Run by Ali Albalawi, the reserve’s capacity building and sustainable natural resource use supervisor, the nine-week program equips trainees with essential skills, including conservation management, data collection, patrolling, cultural heritage management, tracking, fitness, self-defense, first aid, and 4×4 driving.
Albalawi expressed his pride in training rangers from the local community, noting, “When the protector comes from the same place, there is a profound sense of responsibility towards the nature they know and cherish, making them more capable of protecting and conserving it. These rangers are not just trained to perform specific tasks – they are true ambassadors of nature, and I am honored to be part of fostering this spirit that connects people to their land and their role in conserving it for future generations.”
The 66 new rangers will collaborate with the existing ranger force, Special Forces for Environmental Security, and the Border Guard to protect the Reserve’s natural and cultural assets, both on land and at sea. Their responsibilities include ecological monitoring to inform conservation strategies, supporting animal reintroductions, managing wildlife populations, and overseeing development projects to ensure compliance with environmental and social impact assessments.
The reserve is committed to investing in its people through ongoing training and career development opportunities. Rangers have the potential to advance to roles such as team leaders or area managers, contributing significantly to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the expanding conservation industry.
