TABUK — The first birth of onager (Equus hemionus) on Saudi soil in more than 100 years was recorded at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, thanks to the intensive Saudi wildlife conservation efforts. These efforts mark the return of a species that had disappeared from the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula for over a century. The reserve noted that the male onager was born in June 2025 as part of the Arabian rewilding program launched to reintroduce 23 native species to their former natural habitats. The birth has only now been announced after the onager successfully completed its first 12 months of life, as the first year is considered the most critical period for survival, with rates not exceeding 50 percent. The reserve is also expecting the birth of two additional onagers this winter, a sign of the success of conservation efforts for the species, particularly in light of projections by the International Union for Conservation of Nature that its population could decline by 90 percent by 2050. Fewer than 600 animals remain in the wild, following the organization’s 2025 upgrade of the species’ conservation status to Critically Endangered. The reserve is focusing on enhancing the genetic diversity of its onager herd. A new female is currently undergoing quarantine before joining the herd later this year from Jordan, with the aim of establishing two separate breeding herds to boost long-term sustainability, genetic diversity, and adaptability. The program reflects a pioneering vision for environmental conservation that goes beyond traditional approaches and is based on establishing national and regional partnerships needed to provide integrated solutions for wildlife conservation.
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