Rare Griffon vulture breeding colonies discovered at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve

RIYADH: Three rare breeding colonies of the Eurasian Griffon vultures have been discovered at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, the royal reserve’s authority has announced.

The Griffon vultures, listed as Endangered in the Middle East, and other vulture species globally are facing a serious conservation crisis and the discovery was welcomed in time for the World Vulture Awareness Day being celebrated during first Saturday in September each year.

“The endangered Griffon vulture is an uncommon breeding resident in Saudi Arabia. Using drones four active nests with adults incubating eggs and raising chicks have been discovered by Reserve scientists and are being closely monitored,” Andrew Zaloumis, CEO at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, said in a statement.

“Griffon vultures are a significant indicator of the Reserve’s improving environmental health. These breeding colonies are a testament to the Reserve’s conservation work and role as a sanctuary for Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage.”

The 24,500-square kilometer Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stretches from the lava plains of the Harrats to the deep Red Sea in the west, and is home to 15 distinct ecosystems and over 50 percent of the Kingdom’s species, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.

Griffon vulture individuals have previously been recorded roosting throughout the Reserve’s mountain ranges. However, this was the first time breeding colonies with nesting sites have been confirmed.

Four active nests in three separate breeding colonies with adults incubating eggs and chicks approximately two – three months of age were discovered in the sand-stone mountains of the Jabel Qaraqir section of the Reserve. A further 37 potential nesting sites are also being monitored, the authority said.

In 2023, two Griffon vultures were tagged and released into the Reserve in a joint initiative with the National Centre for Wildlife.