In a picturesque scene absent from the region for decades, a young Arabian oryx was recently observed safely settled in its natural habitat within the valleys and plains of the Taysiyah area inside the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, located south of the historical village of Lina in the Northern Borders region.
The return and natural breeding of the Arabian oryx, known locally as “Al-Wadhihi,” to these areas represents a significant environmental achievement. This success contributes to the ecological balance, enriches biodiversity, and preserves a species that had disappeared from the region for many decades due to various environmental pressures, overhunting, and loss of vegetation cover, leading to a dramatic decline in their numbers and eventual extinction in the wild.
The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is home to a variety of animals and birds, including herds of gazelles, Arabian oryx, red-necked ostriches, as well as resident and migratory birds that find refuge in the reserve. The reserve serves as a natural sanctuary for many birds and animals, providing a safe haven for them before they continue their journeys.
Spanning an area of 91,500 square kilometers, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve is the second-largest royal wildlife reserve in Saudi Arabia. It represents a unique desert habitat and a sanctuary for numerous endangered plants and animals.
