Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Rewild Arabia initiative has achieved a major milestone. The endangered bird species, the camel bird, has returned to the Saudi desert after nearly 100 years. This bird was once considered a favorite of Arab poets and Roman scholars, but its numbers declined so drastically in recent decades that it was considered extinct. The red-necked ostrich (camel bird) has been reintroduced by the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve as part of its rewilding program.
According to Arab News, this bird serves as a biological replacement for the extinct Arabian (Syrian) ostrich, which disappeared in the early 20th century due to hunting and habitat loss. The red-necked ostrich is now the closest genetic relative of the Arabian ostrich. It was chosen for its ability to survive and play an ecological role in the extreme conditions of the Saudi desert.
Five Birds Released
Five red-necked ostriches were released into the reserve as part of the reserve’s board-approved rewilding program. The goal is to restore historical levels of biodiversity in the reserve’s 24,500 square kilometer terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The ostrich is the 12th of 23 historically native species being reintroduced under the reserve’s long-term ecosystem restoration strategy.
Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, described it as symbolic and transformative for conservation efforts. He said that bringing back such an iconic desert species after a century holds profound ecological and cultural significance. The reserve achieved similar success in 2024 with the return of the Persian onager after a 100-year absence.
Saudi officials’ hopes rise
Jaloumis said the return of the ostriches is another addition to the growing list of conservation successes. It signals the gradual recovery of Saudi Arabia’s desert landscapes. Both species had been absent from the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve for generations, and their return represents a revival of cultural heritage.