‘Camel Bird’ Returns After 100 Years: Ostriches Reintroduced in Saudi Arabia’s Royal Reserve

After nearly a century of absence, one of Arabia’s most iconic desert species has returned home. The critically endangered red-necked ostrich, historically known as the “camel bird,” has been successfully reintroduced into Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, marking a major milestone in the Kingdom’s conservation and rewilding efforts.

The return of the ostrich restores a species that vanished from the Arabian Peninsula in the early 20th century and represents a significant step toward reviving fragile desert ecosystems.

A Giant Lost to History Returns

Once widespread across Arabian deserts, the Arabian ostrich (Struthio camelus syriacus) was celebrated in Arabic poetry and folklore for its speed, strength, and resilience. Overhunting and habitat destruction, however, led to its extinction in the region more than 100 years ago.

Traces of its presence survived only through ancient petroglyphs etched into sandstone, many of which are found within the reserve. These carvings depict ostrich herds and hunting scenes and have helped scientists reconstruct the region’s ecological past.

Why the Red-Necked Ostrich Was Chosen

Since the original Arabian ostrich is extinct, conservationists selected the red-necked ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus), also known as the North African or Barbary ostrich, as a biological replacement.

This species is the closest genetic relative of the extinct Arabian ostrich and is well adapted to:

• Extreme heat
• Arid desert environments
• Sparse vegetation

A founder population of five ostriches has now been released into the reserve, which spans 24,500 square kilometres, as part of a long-term rewilding programme.

More Than a Symbol: Why Ostriches Matter

Ostriches play a vital ecological role far beyond their striking appearance. As ecosystem engineers, they:

• Disperse seeds across large distances
• Help regulate insect populations
• Contribute to healthy desert rangelands

Their return is expected to benefit multiple species and improve overall ecosystem balance in the reserve.

A Species Still at Risk

Globally, fewer than 1,000 red-necked ostriches are believed to survive in the wild, primarily across parts of Africa’s Sahel region. Their reintroduction to Saudi Arabia strengthens regional and international conservation efforts aimed at preventing their extinction.

The programme is led by the National Center for Wildlife, in collaboration with other royal reserves, NEOM, Saudi Aramco, and the AlUla Royal Commission.

Inside the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve is one of eight royal reserves in Saudi Arabia and one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.

Key facts:

• Covers just 1% of Saudi Arabia’s land and 1.8% of its marine area
• Supports over 50% of the Kingdom’s wildlife species
• Contains 15 distinct ecosystems, from volcanic lava fields to coastal plains

So far, the reserve has successfully reintroduced 12 of 23 historically native species, including the Arabian oryx, Persian onager, sand gazelle, and mountain gazelle.

Aligning Conservation With Vision 2030

The ostrich reintroduction aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, which aim to:

• Protect 30% of land and sea by 2030
• Restore degraded ecosystems
• Enhance biodiversity and sustainability

According to reserve CEO Andrew Zaloumis, restoring lost species — or their ecological equivalents — is essential to fully rehabilitating desert environments.

A Living Link to Arabia’s Natural Heritage

The return of the “camel bird” is more than a conservation success. It reconnects modern Saudi Arabia with its natural and cultural past while setting an example for large-scale rewilding in arid regions.

As the ostrich once again roams the desert sands, it symbolises a renewed commitment to protecting biodiversity and securing a sustainable ecological future for the region.

Related Topics:
World News | Environment | Wildlife Conservation | Saudi Arabia | Rewilding

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