Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia’s largest natural reserve

Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia’s largest natural reserve
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KSRNR is home to over 350 species of various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. (SPA)
Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia’s largest natural reserve
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KSRNR boasts more than 550 types of wild and grazing plants. (SPA photo)
Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia’s largest natural reserve
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KSRNR is home to over 350 species of various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. (SPA)
Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia’s largest natural reserve
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KSRNR is home to over 350 species of various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. (SPA)
Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia’s largest natural reserve
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KSRNR is home to over 350 species of various mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. (SPA)
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Updated 25 May 2025
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Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia’s largest natural reserve

Over 1,245 wild animals resettled so far in Saudi Arabia’s largest natural reserve
  • More than 120 wildlife births also recorded at King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve

TURAIF: Saudi Arabia’s largest wildlife park, the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve, has so far resettled more than 1,245 wild animals, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The reserve has also recorded more than 120 births among its wildlife, SPA reported, citing KSRNR Development Authority records as it marked International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22.

Situated in the Kingdom’s north, the reserve is home to more than 290 species of migratory birds, more than 550 types of wild and grazing plants, and over 350 species of various mammals, reptiles and amphibians.




KSRNR is home to over 290 species of migratory birds. (SPA photo)

Among these animals are the rare Arabian gazelle, the Arabian oryx, and the kestrel, a medium-sized bird of prey.

KSRNR covers an area of 130,000 sq. kilometers, spanning the provinces of Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf, and the Northern Borders.




Map of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve. (Courtesy of KSRNR)

The reserve features a range of physical geography, consisting of 14 geographic formations of mountains, plains, and plateaus, and rare monuments dating back to about 8,000 BC.

Also within the reserve are towns such as Al-Qurayyat and Tubarjal in Al-Jouf and Turaif in the Northern Borders.

The authority said the reserve is dedicated to preserving unique natural habitats, forming a haven for wildlife, a crucial stopover for migratory birds each year, and a natural sanctuary with its balanced environment and diverse landscapes.

Since its inception, the authority has focused on raising environmental awareness in the local community to bolster its conservation efforts.




Citizens participate in the KSRNR's vegetation program as part of the national effort make the Kingdom greener and combat desertification. (SPA photo)

Last year, the KSRNR authority reported having planted more than 2,400,000 seedlings, rehabilitated 700,000 hectares, removed 119 tonnes of hazardous waste, and scattered four tonnes of local seeds in the reserve.

The voluntary seed-scattering initiative covered six valleys on reserve territory, including Nayal Valley of Niall Shuaib Abu Talihat, Fager Valley, Shaib Al-Qilayyib, Sarbout Plath, Mot and Masaha valleys.

“The two-month initiative aims to develop vegetation and increase the green area of the reserve, with the participation of several voluntary associations and volunteers, by scattering an estimated four tons of seeds,” the authority posted on its website.


King Salman appoints Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court

King Salman appoints Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court
Updated 09 July 2025
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King Salman appoints Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court

King Salman appoints Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad as advisor to the Saudi Royal Court
  • Al-Fayyad has been executive general supervisor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre since 2017
  • He graduated in 1990 from King Saud University’s medical school and has amassed decades of clinical, academic and administrative experience

JEDDAH: In a royal order issued on Wednesday, King Salman appointed Dr. Majid Al-Fayyad as an advisor to the Saudi Royal Court.

Al-Fayyad is the executive general supervisor at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, which has facilities in Riyadh, Madinah and Jeddah. He graduated in 1990 from the medical school at King Saud University in Riyadh, and has amassed decades of clinical, academic and administrative experience.

In the US, he undertook specialized training in pediatrics at Tufts University, and in pediatric cardiology at Columbia University. He holds several certifications and degrees, including a master’s in medical administration awarded by the University of Southern California in 2015.

He was appointed in 2017 to his current position at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, where he has helped spearhead key reforms to the Saudi healthcare sector. He has also played important roles in national healthcare committees and initiatives, earning recognition for his contributions to research and administration.


Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh
Updated 09 July 2025
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Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi deputy FM receives UK ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi was visited by UK Ambassador to the Kingdom Neil Crompton in Riyadh on Wednesday.

The ambassador visited to bid farewell on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the Kingdom, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

Al-Rassi praised the ambassador’s efforts in strengthening and advancing relations between the two countries.


Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids

Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids
Updated 09 July 2025
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Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids

Riyadh museum to host interactive camp for kids

JEDDAH: The National Museum in Riyadh will launch its third interactive summer camp, themed “Made in the Museum,” for children aged 10 to 12, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The initiative is part of the “Year of Handicrafts,” celebrating Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage and its role in shaping national identity and intergenerational bonds.

The camp has two sessions: July 21-31 and Aug. 4-14, running daily from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., both inside the museum and outdoors.

Designed as an educational and immersive experience, the camp invites participants to explore and revive traditional Saudi crafts, the SPA added.

Children will engage in hands-on activities in four core tracks: clay crafts, textiles, woodworking, and supportive crafts, blending play, learning, and exploration.

This year’s camp strengthens the museum’s role as a community hub, providing children with opportunities to develop critical thinking and design skills while inspiring their imagination and showing the cultural and economic importance of handicrafts.

The camp encourages children to make and show their projects at the end of each session, helping them feel confident and encouraging new ideas and creativity.


Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment

Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment
Updated 09 July 2025
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Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment

Riyadh hospital succeeds in rare disease treatment
  • The hospital has provided 22 years of care for a patient with a rare genetic blood clotting disorder, culminating in a successful liver transplant — the first worldwide for this condition

RIYADH: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh has provided 22 years of care for a patient with a rare genetic blood clotting disorder, culminating in a successful liver transplant — the first worldwide for this condition.

Diagnosed in infancy with congenital plasminogen deficiency, the patient required ongoing treatment to manage fibrous deposits affecting her tissues and organs, according to a press release.

Over the two decades, a multidisciplinary team including hematology, transplant specialists, nursing, nutrition and IT supported her care, the report said.

The patient’s father said: “She suffered from birth and couldn’t nurse. We had no clear answers until we found hope through the care provided by the Saudi government. After 22 years of struggle, we witness our daughter’s recovery.”

The treatment involved regular plasminogen infusions and eyedrops to reduce the disease’s effect on her vision, with annual costs exceeding SR6 million ($1.6 million), fully covered by the government.

Dr. Hazzaa Al-Zahrani, director of the adult hematology and stem-cell transplant division at the center and supervising physician, said that managing the case required a precise and long-term approach to prevent complications and ensure stability.

He said that the decision to proceed with a liver transplant came after careful consideration as an extraordinary therapeutic option for this exceptionally rare case.

The procedure’s success marked a turning point in her medical journey and was a beacon of hope for patients with similar conditions worldwide, Al-Zahrani added.


Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy

Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy
Updated 09 July 2025
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Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy

Program to boost youth, SME role in Saudi economy

RIYADH: The Small and Medium Enterprises Loan Guarantee Program, known as Kafalah, in collaboration with the Riyadh Chamber, will hold interactive sessions on July 15 to mark World Youth Skills Day.

The initiative aims to raise awareness and develop entrepreneurial skills among youth, entrepreneurs and SMEs, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

The sessions will cover key topics to boost youth contributions to national economic development, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 reform plan.

Focus areas include access to finance, building administrative and financial capabilities, enhancing SME sustainability, and turning ideas into viable projects.

These sessions highlight the collaboration between entities supporting the SME sector in the Kingdom, the SPA added.

The Kafalah program and Riyadh Chamber aim to foster youth growth and strengthen their role in the national economy.

Kafalah supports micro, small and medium enterprises by providing financial guarantees, improving their access to financing and reducing lending risks for banks.