Arabian hare reintroduced at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve under Rewilding Arabia program

RIYADH — The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has reintroduced the Arabian hare as part of its “Rewilding Arabia” program, marking the 14th native species restored since the initiative was launched in winter 2022.The Arabian hare plays a critical role in desert ecosystems as a primary consumer, rebuilding food webs by transferring energy from vegetation to predators and regulating ecological processes across trophic levels. **media[2663221]** As a grazing herbivore and seed distributor, it helps manage plant growth while serving as a key prey species for jackals, foxes, wildcats and hyenas.Reserve CEO Andrew Zaloumis said rewilding efforts extend beyond increasing animal numbers.“Rewilding is not just about restoring species numbers, but reinstating ecological processes,” Zaloumis said, noting that reintroducing the hare strengthens ecological links essential for desert recovery. **media[2663219]** Twenty hares were selected to enhance genetic diversity. They will initially remain in purpose-built breeding enclosures to accelerate population growth before release into the wild. The reserve has already recorded the first births under the program.Unlike many desert species, the Arabian hare lives above ground and can tolerate extreme heat without burrowing. Its natural camouflage aids survival, while its large ears — measuring up to 17 centimeters, or about 30% of its body length — support thermoregulation and acute hearing. **media[2663222]** With independently rotating ears and nearly 360-degree vision, the hare can detect predators early and sprint up to 80 kilometers per hour in rapid zigzag patterns. Despite these adaptations, desert predation rates can reach 90%, underscoring its importance as a foundational prey species in arid ecosystems.Since 2022, the reserve has documented more than 100 sand gazelle births, 19 mountain gazelle births, the first Nubian ibex births, 36 Arabian oryx calves and one wild ass foal. The program aims to establish self-sustaining wild populations across Saudi Arabia.The rewilding effort operates under an integrated management plan restoring habitats across 24,500 square kilometers of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Supported by advanced ranger programs and community engagement, the initiative aligns with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, which target conserving 30% of the Kingdom’s land and sea by 2030. **media[2663220]** Spanning 24,500 square kilometers from volcanic lava plains to the Red Sea, the reserve forms an ecological corridor linking NEOM, the Red Sea Project and AlUla. Although it covers about 1% of Saudi Arabia’s land area and 1.8% of its marine territory, it hosts more than half of the Kingdom’s species, making it one of the Middle East’s most biodiverse areas.The reserve plans to reintroduce 23 historically native species — including the Arabian leopard, cheetah, Arabian oryx and lappet-faced vulture — under the supervision of the Royal Reserves Council, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as part of the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives.