The Ibex Reserve in Saudi Arabia has been officially included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature‘s (IUCN) exclusive Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. This landmark achievement marks the first time a reserve in the Kingdom has met all criteria to join this prestigious list, which includes fewer than 80 reserves from over 300,000 protected areas globally.
Managed by the Saudi National Center for Wildlife (NCW), the inclusion of the Ibex Reserve in the Green List signifies international recognition of the effectiveness of its management programs. The Green List criteria encompass various essential factors such as effective governance, transparency, accountability, the application of best scientific practices and local knowledge, and proactive planning that considers social and economic contexts.
Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the NCW, expressed pride in this accomplishment, stating, “The Ibex Reserve’s Green List status not only enhances its international standing but also drives forward our broader conservation and sustainable development initiatives. We are actively collaborating with our wildlife sector partners to bring all our national reserves up to this international standard.”
Currently, the NCW manages 11 protected areas across Saudi Arabia. Since 2017, the organisation has significantly increased the country’s marine protected areas from 3.6% to 6.5%, while terrestrial protected areas have grown from 4.5% to 18.1%. This progress aligns with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to achieving the 30×30 goal set out in the UN’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Located in the Tuwaiq mountain range in central Saudi Arabia, the Ibex Reserve was established in 1988 following requests from local communities concerned about the survival of a herd of ibex, a threatened species. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the NCW, the ibex population has seen a significant recovery.
The NCW works closely with local communities surrounding the reserve and throughout the Kingdom to promote sustainable development, ecotourism, scientific research, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The reserve is not only vital for ibex but also provides a habitat for various vulnerable species, including rock hyraxes, foxes, birds, and reptiles. It is home to diverse vegetation, featuring acacia trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses, contributing to the region’s ecological richness.
The recognition of the Ibex Reserve on the IUCN Green List serves as an encouraging example of effective conservation efforts and highlights Saudi Arabia’s commitment to protecting its natural heritage. As the Kingdom continues to expand its protected areas and enhance conservation strategies, the Ibex Reserve stands as a beacon of success in the global effort to safeguard biodiversity.