Saudi wildlife center uses satellite tracking devices to monitor animals

Saudi wildlife center uses satellite tracking devices to monitor animals
Satellite tech will be used to track animal movements. (Supplied)
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Updated 16 March 2023

Saudi wildlife center uses satellite tracking devices to monitor animals

Saudi wildlife center uses satellite tracking devices to monitor animals
  • 92 wild animals released into Al-Baida Park to help enrich biodiversity

MAKKAH: Al-Baida Park in Madinah is embracing technology in a bid to track the movement of its wildlife.

Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, the Saudi minister of environment, water and agriculture, recently presided over the release of some 92 wild animals into the park to help enrich biodiversity, and restore environmental balance and aid sustainability.

And Dr. Ahmed Al-Bouq, director general of wildlife conservation at the National Center for Wildlife Development, supports the concept of using technology to help the well-being of the creatures at the location.

He told Arab News that the evaluation process is the first step in any release operation. This includes focusing on the release area and noting whether it will aid protection and if it contains the vegetation density to help the species.

He said: “During the first release, we dealt with 10 species, including the Alpine ibex, mountain gazelles, vultures, eagles, crowned sandgrouses, European turtle doves, crested larks and Namaqua doves.

“The pre-evaluation process is of utmost importance as it will provide us with sufficient information on how to set appropriate conditions to ensure the safety and integration of all animals.”

Al-Bouq said that this is followed by the installation of satellite tracking devices to target the released animals and track their movements.

He added: “What we are aiming to achieve is to bring people closer to wildlife, while giving them the chance to become familiar with animals that are endangered, so they no longer find them strange or feel a cultural dimension keeping both worlds apart. The release operation is a bridge linking people and wildlife.”

Al-Bouq said that the center is working hard on helping people understand the link between man and nature, in the hope of helping to enrich the environment in the process.

He added: “We are adding to the diversity in parks and raising the visitors’ environmental awareness level, while enhancing the readiness of concerned parks to invest in the wildlife sector in general.

“We are also looking to improve the level and quality of life of the animals, given that natural parks are way more important than industrial parks, especially in the outskirts of cities, such as Al-Baida wild natural park.”

The Verreaux’s eagle was released in Al-Baida Park. It is a breeding resident of the Kingdom that can only be found in the western highlands in mountainous areas. Pairs can be seen throughout the year near nesting sites in rocky cliffs.

The greater hoopoe is a bird that was also released during the operation, along with the Tristram’s starling.

The steppe eagle was also released into the park. This is a migrant bird that visits the Kingdom during the winter season, from November until the end of March.

It can be found in deserts, mountains, plains, and near the beach, as well as in garbage dumps.

The bird breeds in central and northern Kazakhstan, and feeds on rodents and dead animals.

The nubian ibex is a herbivore goat species with a stout brown body, and it too was released into the park. It traditionally lives in mountainous areas and on steep slopes.

It needs to be continuously hydrated so the animal gravitates to areas where surface water is available.

The mountain gazelle was also released. The King Khalid Wildlife Research Center is currently working on reintroducing the gazelle into the national center’s related reserves, as well as into the national parks in the Kingdom.
 


Saudi and Norwegian foreign ministers hold talks on sidelines of anti-Daesh coalition meeting

Saudi and Norwegian foreign ministers hold talks on sidelines of anti-Daesh coalition meeting
Updated 15 sec ago

Saudi and Norwegian foreign ministers hold talks on sidelines of anti-Daesh coalition meeting

Saudi and Norwegian foreign ministers hold talks on sidelines of anti-Daesh coalition meeting
  • Huitfeldt said she appreciated the opportunity to discuss cooperation between Norway and Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met his Norwegian counterpart, Anniken Huitfeldt, on the sidelines of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh’s ministerial meeting in Riyadh.

They reviewed bilateral relations between their countries and ways in which they might be enhanced, the Saudi Press Agency reported, and discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, and important issues raised during the ministerial meeting.

In a message posted on Twitter on Thursday, Huitfeldt said she appreciated the opportunity to discuss cooperation between Norway and Saudi Arabia, the energy sector, human rights, regional development and stability, and the situations in Sudan, Yemen, Israel and Palestine.

Also present at the meeting were Saud Al-Sati, the undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Abdulrahman Al-Daoud, director-general of the foreign minister’s office.
 


Holy sites ready to receive Hajj pilgrims

Holy sites ready to receive Hajj pilgrims
Updated 22 min ago

Holy sites ready to receive Hajj pilgrims

Holy sites ready to receive Hajj pilgrims
  • High-quality tents erected in Makkah, Madinah to accommodate visitors
  • Madinah recruits 9,900 people to ensure plans run smoothly

JEDDAH: Authorities in Makkah and Madinah have erected new, high-quality tents as part of their preparations to welcome pilgrims to the holy sites for the upcoming Hajj season.

Fitted with a special cooling system, the facilities will provide visitors with a pleasant and safe environment in which to perform their rituals, as well as offering all the support services they need.

Makkah Municipality said it had created 28 service centers, which will be fully staffed and equipped, while the Municipality of Madinah said it too had completed its preparations and was ready to implement its operational plan for the Hajj season.

Authorities in Madinah said they had recruited more than 9,900 people and would use over 800 pieces of equipment to help deliver their plan, which is focused mainly on the central area, residential neighborhoods, mosques, historical sites, markets and event zones.

They said they had also inspected fuel and service stations, barbershops and women’s hair salons, markets and street vendors to ensure high levels of hygiene.

Plans had also been put in place to tackle any emergencies that might arise during the pilgrimage season, the authorities said.


GCC, US ministerial meeting issues joint statement on Ukraine, Syria and more

GCC, US ministerial meeting issues joint statement on Ukraine, Syria and more
Updated 48 min 14 sec ago

GCC, US ministerial meeting issues joint statement on Ukraine, Syria and more

GCC, US ministerial meeting issues joint statement on Ukraine, Syria and more
  • Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan said the Kingdom would chair the focus group on African affairs to confront Daesh
  • Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the security of the region

RIYADH: The GCC Council members and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a joint statement on achieving political and economic stability in the region after a meeting in Riyadh on Thursday.

The committee highlighted the importance and promise of infrastructure projects to promote regional integration and interconnectivity, contributing to regional stability and prosperity.

Navigational rights and freedoms were also discussed and the security of vessels traveling through the region was highlighted.

The ministers reiterated the importance of confronting terrorism and violent extremism worldwide and welcomed the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS ministerial meeting, held today in Riyadh.

Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan said the Kingdom would chair the focus group on African affairs to confront Daesh.

Bin Farhan encouraged the establishment of a focus group to combat the organization of ISIS Khorsasan in Afghanistan and limit the spread of the terrorist organization in the area.

Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the security of the region, recognizing the region’s vital role in the global economy and international trade.

The GCC Council and the United States confirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and maritime security in the region and to counter illegal actions at sea that might threaten shipping lanes, international trade and oil installations in the GCC.

The two sides reaffirmed their support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and renewed their call for Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

On Yemen the committee expressed their appreciation for the efforts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UN.

They also expressed their hope to see a Yemeni political process resulting in a lasting end to the conflict.

Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the committee pointed towards reaching a lasting state of peace in the Middle East in accordance with the two-state solution and the 1967 borders and emphasized Jordan’s role in this situation.

The committee reaffirmed its commitment to reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis that is in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 issued in 2015, the ministers welcomed Arab efforts to resolve the crisis.

For Iraq, the ministers discussed the importance of civilian-led efforts, including economic reforms to ensure Iraq’s people benefitted from the country’s natural resources, stabilization to ensure communities can recover from conflict and Daesh violence, measures to prevent the financing of terrorism, and efforts to counter Daesh narratives, which complement ongoing work to enhance the Government of Iraq’s counterterrorism capabilities.

On the war in Ukraine, the ministers reaffirmed the importance of respecting the principle of sovereignty and international law, including the UN Charter and the obligation to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

Support for refugees and displaced people affected by the war in Ukraine was also emphasized.

Another round of the GCC-US integrated air and missile defense and maritime security working groups was agreed to be held later this year.


Italian pilgrims arrive in Madinah for Hajj

Italian pilgrims arrive in Madinah for Hajj
Updated 08 June 2023

Italian pilgrims arrive in Madinah for Hajj

Italian pilgrims arrive in Madinah for Hajj
  • After landing, the pilgrims were greeted with a welcome ceremony and gifted flower bouquets, dates and Zamzam water bottles
  • The arrival of the first flights of registered pilgrims was fulfilled through the Nusuk electronic platform

RIYADH: The first group of pilgrims using the Nusuk Hajj platform arrived on Thursday at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport from Italy.
After landing, the pilgrims were greeted with a welcome ceremony and gifted flower bouquets, dates and Zamzam water bottles.
The arrival of the first flights of registered pilgrims was fulfilled through the Nusuk electronic platform, which was launched by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah four months ago to facilitate entry procedures.
Hajj has seen an increase in the number of pilgrims since the pandemic, the lifting of age restrictions, in addition to the ending of guardianship rules for women.
The Nusuk platform, available in seven languages, allows pilgrims from 67 countries to register and book electronically. Service packages consisting of housing, food, flight guidance, and transportation are available for purchase and booking.
The platform has additional services such as interactive maps, a calendar dedicated to offers and activities, a digital guide, and information and health services.
Nusuk is part of the initiatives launched by one of the Saudi Vision 2030 schemes, the Guests of God Service Program. The program aims to enrich religious and cultural experiences in the Kingdom.


Saudi FM: Kingdom is making great efforts to combat the financing of Daesh

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a joint news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a joint news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
Updated 8 min 56 sec ago

Saudi FM: Kingdom is making great efforts to combat the financing of Daesh

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends a joint news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
  • FM affirmed the strength of Saudi-American relations during the conference
  • Blinken expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom’s contributions to the coalition against Daesh

RIYADH: The Kingdom is making great efforts to combat the financing of Daesh, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Thursday.

Speaking at a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after a ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that threat of the terrorist organization is not limited to Sahel countries, but rather extends to the whole world.

Prince Faisal said the Kingdom is working with Africa to confront terrorist organizations and that it has a responsibility toward Africa as an important source of cooperation.

He added that it is unfortunate that developed countries are refusing to take back their citizens from Syria’s Al-Hol displacement camp that houses refugees and families of Daesh fighters, including thousands of foreigners.

The foreign minister affirmed the strength of Saudi-American relations during the conference and said the Kingdom continues to develop security and military relations with America.

In turn, Blinken expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom’s contributions to the coalition against Daesh, and said that the US is working closely with Saudi Arabia on the situation in Yemen.

Blinken added that Saudi Arabia is leading diplomatic campaigns for a cease-fire in Sudan and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

He added that the Kingdom is witnessing remarkable development which confirms that the future is bright, and has embarked on a huge and historic effort to modernize its economy.

The secretary of state said US relations with Gulf countries are important to America and countries in the region.