The Ibex Reserve has become the first protected area in Saudi Arabia to be included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Green List. This prestigious recognition places it among only 77 protected areas worldwide that meet the IUCN's strict criteria for effective management and conservation.
Established in 1988, the Ibex Reserve is situated on the Tuwaiq Plateau in central Saudi Arabia. Spanning 1,840 square kilometers, the reserve is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including large populations of mountain ibex, Arabian gazelles, antelopes, rock hyraxes, foxes, rodents, and a variety of birds and reptiles. The reserve also boasts a rich variety of plant life, including rare trees, shrubs, grasses, and herbs.
According to Mohammed Qurban, Director General of the National Center for Wildlife, the inclusion of the Ibex Reserve in the Green List reflects global recognition of the reserve's achievements. The protected area meets the IUCN's key criteria for governance, planning, and understanding of social, economic, and environmental challenges.
The National Center for Wildlife currently manages 11 protected areas across Saudi Arabia. Since 2017, the NCW has supported the expansion of Saudi Arabia's marine protected areas from 3.6% to 6.5% and its terrestrial protected areas from 4.5% to 18.1%.
Blogs
