Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Aramco identifies 10 sites to protect 500 plant, animal species

Aramco has identified 10 sites for biodiversity conservation on an area of 950 square kilometers, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The sites — spread across from Shaybah in the south to Ras Tanakib in the north, and from Abu Ali in the east to Abha in the west — will cover a variety of unique ecosystems to protect more than 500 species of plants and animals, including at least 55 species or subspecies unique to the Kingdom.

The species present at the sites are either threatened, migratory or endemic species.

Aramco has always worked toward protecting the environment and endangered species in the region. Due to overhunting, Arabian oryx, sand gazelles and ostriches were locally extinct in the region.

Aramco’s establishment of the Shaybah Wildlife Sanctuary in 2016 has succeeded in bringing back some locally extinct species, including oryx, gazelles and ostriches.

It is one of the company’s voluntary community initiatives in the field of sustainability.

The sanctuary has fenced an area of about 637 square kilometers in the pristine habitats of the Empty Quarter. It protects wildlife from threats such as random vehicle entry, grazing, littering and hunting, as well as protecting dozens of native plant species.

The Shaybah Wildlife Sanctuary is home to 10 Arab endemic species, 39 of 50 species on a high-priority list of conservation and 13 regionally endangered species.

Recent biodiversity surveys have also revealed the presence of 11 species of native plants, 13 potential species of reptiles, 18 species of mammals and 176 species of birds, of which 169 are migratory.

One of the results of the recovery is the spread of organic matter in the form of natural waste from animals and birds, which has led to the nurturing of the arid desert sands in addition to a more active water cycle. The reduction of camel grazing has also helped flourish the flora and fauna in the region.

The reserve’s guards have recently recorded sightings of golden eagles in the sanctuary for the first time, as well as the presence of a large number of lizards and hares.

The second phase of the project will see the arrival of more animals until the number of species within the reserve reaches the desired level.

This phase will also enhance academic partnerships between Aramco and other academic institutions, paving the way for future environmental research in the region.

In 1972, there were only four Arabian oryx. The last wild ostrich was spotted in the the Arabian Peninsula in 1939, and the numbers of sand gazelles had decreased significantly.

Today, there are now 130 Arabian oryxes, 120 Arabian sand gazelles and four red-necked ostriches.

Not only has Aramco contributed to protecting the future of endangered species, but it has also helped pave the way for the recovery of the entire ecosystem.

Aramco’s efforts to preserve the environment and wildlife have received recognition and accolades.

In 2019, Shaybah Wildlife Sanctuary was audited by an external party and obtained the ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard, while its production department received the Aramco President’s Award for Environmental Preservation twice.

In 2010, the sanctuary won an award for the best industrial facility from an environmental point of view within the GCC, and in 2018, the management received the Saudi Aramco President’s Excellence Award.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×