How sustainable tourism can help preserve Saudi Arabia’s iconic desert wildlife 

Special How sustainable tourism can help preserve Saudi Arabia’s iconic desert wildlife 
White Oryxes in the Arabian Desert. (Shutterstock)
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Updated 04 May 2024
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How sustainable tourism can help preserve Saudi Arabia’s iconic desert wildlife 

How sustainable tourism can help preserve Saudi Arabia’s iconic desert wildlife 
  • With desert tourism on the rise, experts say visitors and developers have a responsibility to respect local fauna  
  • The deserts of Saudi Arabia are home to more than 4,000 animal species, many of them critically endangered

ALULA: Although Saudi Arabia is home to a wealth of ecosystems, from its coastal mangroves and coral reefs to its high-altitude forests and lush oases, the Kingdom is perhaps best known for its deserts.

However, these landscapes, which are fast becoming popular with outdoor adventurers, are home to a remarkable array of animals, which inhabited the region long before the arrival of humans.

Despite the hardiness of these animals, given the harshness of their environment, the encroachment of humans into these pristine habitats is raising concerns among conservationists.

“The rapid growth in tourist flows in recent decades has been accompanied by diversification, both geographically, and in terms of tourism segments or products,” Basmah Al-Mayman, Middle East regional director of the UN Tourism (formerly UN World Tourism Organization), told Arab News. 

“Desert destinations have shared in the benefits of this double-diversification process, making it an even more pressing priority to define a sustainable approach to tourism development in desert areas.”

As a Saudi national herself, Al-Mayman recognizes the value of the Kingdom’s precious ecosystems as a source of revenue and national pride. However, she believes the tourism industry, developers, and travelers themselves have a responsibility to act sustainably.

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“In the desert, more than anywhere, with destinations still relatively untouched by the adverse effects tourism can bring, sustainability represents a particularly critical challenge,” she said.

“The messages conveyed by UN Tourism are not only preventive in character, but also offer stakeholders at international as well as local levels the advice and tools they need to combat poverty and desertification while enabling tourism to properly play its role as a vehicle for development.”




The Nubian ibex isnow among the wildlife of Saudi Arabia. (Shutterstock)

According to UN Tourism, sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development. A balance must be established between these dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability.

Sustainable tourism should therefore make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, while maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.




Falcons are among the most loved wildlife in the Kingdom. (SPA photo)

As the largest country in the Middle East, occupying more than 80 percent of the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia is home to five distinct climatic regions. 

These biomes include coastal fog desert, the southwestern savanna foothills, the southwestern montane woodlands, the Arabian Desert, the Nubo-Sindian tropical desert, and areas of semi-desert.




Ostriches racing at a conservation center in Jeddah. (Supplied)

Extensive hunting in the 19th century resulted in the population decline of many of Saudi Arabia’s indigenous animals, including oryx, leopards, and cheetahs. The Kingdom has since imposed bans on poaching and launched breeding programs to help bolster populations.

Other wildlife found in these habitats included striped hyenas, mongoose, baboons, sand cats, and hopping desert rodents known as jerboa. Visitors willing to brave the region’s harsh temperatures may be rewarded with a glimpse of a Nubian ibex, sand gazelles, or a whole array of reptiles. 




Gazelles restin one of the wildelife conservation centers of Saudi Arabia, safe from predators and hunters. (Shutterstock)

Occupying some 25 percent of Saudi Arabia’s territory, the Rub’ Al-Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter, is anything but what its name might suggest. The world’s biggest sand desert is in fact home to a dizzying array of wildlife.

Likewise, the Kingdom’s scrublands, steppes, mangroves, volcanic fields, palm oases, and mountain ranges are teeming with creatures — nesting, hunting, feeding, and burrowing, many of them out of sight, coming out only in the cool hours of night.

DIDYOU KNOW

• 2024 was designated the Year of the Camel by the UN and Saudi Ministry of Culture.

• AlUla has made great strides in ensuring that desert tourism is eco-friendly.

• UN Tourism has put forth structured targets to support sustainable desert tourism.

• National Center for Wildlife estimates there are 4,481 endangered species in the Kingdom.

No desert animal is perhaps better recognized than the camel. It is because of its iconic status that the UN and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture has designated 2024 as the “Year of the Camel.”

This year, Saudi Arabia will host several camel-centric events and organize special spaces to educate the public about these much-loved “ships of the desert.”

Just this past week, the second ever AlUla Camel Cup was celebrated in the Kingdom’s ancient northwestern region. The four-day event centered on the animal, which has become synonymous with the country’s identity. 




The camel has been the Bedouin’s best friend for centuries, as well as a loyal companion and a lifeline. (Shutterstock)

The camel has been the Bedouin’s best friend for centuries, as well as a loyal companion and a lifeline. Even the Prophet Muhammad relied on camels for transportation and as a source of food and fuel.

Camels are not the only animals getting their moment in the limelight. Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife and the Saudi Green Initiative have been working hard to ensure none of the Kingdom’s fauna is overlooked.

Assigning an animal to be championed during a specific year, month, or day has been instrumental in raising awareness about the wellbeing and conservation of the region’s distinctive species.

In 2022, the Royal Commission for AlUla launched a campaign for the recognition of “International Arabian Leopard Day.” In 2023, the UN General Assembly unanimously designated Feb. 10 as the “International Day of the Arabian Leopard.”




Facing extinction, the Arabian leopard is one of the wildlife species at the center of the Kingdom's animal conservation program. (Royal Commission of AlUla photo)

The Arabian leopard once enjoyed a range stretching across a large swathe of the Arabian Peninsula, from southern Jordan to Yemen. 

But, after years of human encroachment on its habitat, resulting in the depletion of its natural prey, the International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the big cat as a critically endangered species.

Saudi Arabia has long been at the forefront of animal conservation, with the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Royal Reserve Development Authority reintroducing more than 220 endangered species into the wild in the Kingdom’s royal reserves over the past five seasons. 




More than 220 endangered animal species have been reintroduced to the wild in Saudi royal reserves over the past three years. (SPA)

Much of this has been done in tandem with sustainable tourism initiatives, designed to protect the Kingdom’s ecosystems, while providing jobs, services, and prosperity to local communities.

For instance, in the ancient deserts of northwest Saudi Arabia, framed by curious rock formations with their dramatic silhouettes, the lush green oasis of AlUla has been continuously occupied by humans since before the 12th century.

Throughout that time, animals have been vital to the area and to the livelihoods of its human residents.

In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Royal Commission for AlUla has launched an initiative to rehabilitate 65,000 hectares of degraded land, activating the space and resurrecting the harmony between humans and nature — an organic partnership that has defined the region for millennia.




The lush green oasis of AlUla has been continuously occupied by humans since before the 12th century. (RCU photo)

Besides AlUla, nearly every other desert space in the Kingdom has introduced curated tours that mindfully lead humans into the wilderness with the intention of enjoying, honoring, and respecting the animals that live there. 

The Kingdom has made significant strides in ensuring that its animals continue to flourish in a rapidly changing world and a nation that aims to become a major tourism magnet in the years to come.

But with more people, vehicles, and infrastructure coming to the desert, it is a collective responsibility to ensure visitors do so without disturbing these precious ecosystems and their animal inhabitants.
 

 

Rewilding Arabia
Return of the leopard is at the heart of plans to conserve and regenerate Saudi Arabia’s landscapes and wildlife

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How AI-programmed robotic pets could transform therapy and mental health support

How AI-programmed robotic pets could transform therapy and mental health support
Updated 31 January 2025
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How AI-programmed robotic pets could transform therapy and mental health support

How AI-programmed robotic pets could transform therapy and mental health support
  • AI advancements make therapy pets a viable alternative for those unable to own real animals due to allergies or living constraints
  • Despite their potential, AI-powered companions face challenges due to cultural perceptions, cost, and data privacy

RIYADH: Pet ownership has long been associated with positive mental well-being, from the company and affection animals provide their owners to the health and social benefits offered by regular walks and interactions.

Domesticated animals like cats and dogs are routinely used to comfort people in distressing situations, including those being treated in hospital or suffering anxiety on commercial flights.

In fact, pet ownership and interactions with animals are regularly touted by doctors to help address a range of mental health issues and improve a patient’s social, emotional, or cognitive function.

A 2024 review in the Journal of Medical Internet Research highlighted animal-assisted therapy’s measurable impact on reducing stress and promoting good mental health across diverse demographics and settings.

However, for those who suffer from allergies or who for whatever reason are unable to keep a pet at home, this may not be an option.

Now, thanks to new advances in robotics and artificial intelligence, a synthetic form of animal-assisted therapy has emerged with the potential to transform the healthcare landscape.

“The future of using pet-like AI-driven robots for therapy has great potential,” Imed Gallouzi, chair of the Center of Excellence for Smart Health at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, told Arab News.

“For individuals dealing with mental health issues, AI therapy pets could provide privacy, immediate reactions to crises, and even companionship to alleviate loneliness.”

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AI therapy pets could also be integrated with other smart health solutions. “These devices could link with wearable technology and remote monitoring tools to offer personalized treatment plans,” said Gallouzi.

For example, an AI pet could sync with a wearable device to monitor a patient’s heart rate and alert healthcare providers to any irregularities.

Such AI advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health conditions have come at a critical time.

The World Health Organization recently warned that mental health disorders are a major contributor to the global disease burden, with depression being the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Illustration from the WHO's "world mental health report" 

Mental health issues among young people are a growing concern in Saudi Arabia. A 2023 study based on the Saudi National Mental Health Survey revealed that at least 40.1 percent of young Saudis had experienced a mental health condition at some point in their life.

Despite the prevalence of these issues, the study, published in the Scientific Reports journal, found that just 14.47 percent of young people with mental health issues had received treatment for their condition.

The Kingdom has sought to prioritize the well-being of its citizens as part of the Vision 2030 reform agenda. In 2022, it allocated 4 percent of its healthcare budget to mental health issues — far above the global average.

But for AI-programmed robotic pets to catch on as an effective therapy tool, Noor Al-Faraj, a data AI and automation expert at IBM, says the technology must exhibit sufficient emotional intelligence and offer the right response.

“For these pets to really work, they need to understand human emotions on a deeper level,” Al-Faraj told Arab News.

Despite their potential, the adoption of AI therapy pets faces significant challenges, particularly in the Middle East. (AFP)

“Imagine an AI pet that notices your heart rate increasing and reacts with a calming purring sound or a soft nudge. It’s about combining emotional intelligence with physical presence to feel real.”

Despite their potential, the adoption of AI therapy pets faces significant challenges, particularly in the Middle East.

One of the main hurdles is cultural perceptions. Indeed, the very concept of pet ownership — particularly of dogs — differs significantly in Arab cultures compared to Western norms.

“In our Arab culture, imagining that pets — let alone robotic pets — could contribute to health is a relatively new idea,” said Gallouzi.

Domesticated animals like cats and dogs are routinely used to comfort people in distressing situations. (AN Photo/Huda Bashatah)

Another challenge to the adoption of AI pet therapy is technical infrastructure, as their effectiveness will likely depend on a reliable cloud-driven system or one that requires advanced internet connectivity.

Cost and accessibility also pose significant barriers. The technology would likely be prohibitively expensive for the average user. Indeed, research published in Emerging Technologies Quarterly in 2021 highlighted the high cost of advanced AI solutions in emerging markets.

Data privacy is also a critical issue, as AI therapy pets require the collection of sensitive personal information to function effectively.

DID YOUKNOW?

• Equipped with sensors, AI, and machine learning, robotic pets can respond to touch, voice, and movement. 

• Research shows AI-powered pets can reduce stress and anxiety, improving mental well-being.

• Studies estimate one in two people will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime.

• The global market for robotic pets was valued at $1.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow 9.5 percent annually (Grand View Research).

Al-Faraj says strict privacy measures are needed to ensure public trust, as concerns over data protection could hinder the technology’s uptake.

Similarly, ethical concerns surrounding AI therapy pets require attention. “If someone starts relying on an AI pet too much, it could make them pull away from real relationships, which would defeat the purpose of emotional support,” said Al-Faraj.

World Health Organization illustration

Given these drawbacks, it seems unlikely these AI companions will replace human therapists altogether — at least not any time soon. But mental health practitioners would be wise to keep up with developments.

“AI will never replace doctors, but professionals who don’t understand AI might find themselves out of work in the future,” said Gallouzi.

Creating a market for AI therapy pets in Saudi Arabia will require significant investments in education and infrastructure.

“We need to train professionals in AI and smart health technologies to prepare the next generation of experts,” Gallouzi added.

Although impressed by these developments, Al-Faraj is not yet convinced that real animals can be substituted by AI therapy pets, no matter their sophistication.

She said: “They’re unpredictable, warm, and have this way of connecting with us that feels almost magical.”

 


Saudi Shoura Council speaker receives Sudan’s ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi Shoura Council speaker receives Sudan’s ambassador in Riyadh
Updated 30 January 2025
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Saudi Shoura Council speaker receives Sudan’s ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi Shoura Council speaker receives Sudan’s ambassador in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council Speaker Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh received Sudan’s ambassador to the Kingdom, Dafallah Al-Hajj Ali Othman, in his office in Riyadh on Thursday. 

Al-Asheikh wished the ambassador well in his duties and efforts to strengthen relations between the people of the two nations.

The two officials discussed issues of common interest during the meeting, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
 


Boomerang competition held after findings suggest Arabian invention

Boomerang competition held after findings suggest Arabian invention
Updated 30 January 2025
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Boomerang competition held after findings suggest Arabian invention

Boomerang competition held after findings suggest Arabian invention
  • Competitors from the US, Europe and Brazil flock to Hail
  • Traditionally thought to be Australian, recent findings indicate Arabian origin

RIYADH: An international boomerang tournament is being held in Hail in commemoration of a recent discovery of evidence showing that the hunting implement may have been invented in Arabia.

“The Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad International Boomerang Tournament” begun on Thursday and brings together competitors from the US, Europe and Brazil, as well as Saudi Arabia’s Boomerang Club.

Saudi researcher Mishari Al-Nashmi recently published findings of rock engravings in the mountains of Al-Masma, Joba and Arnan, depicting hunting scenes from the Neolithic era using curved tools resembling the Australian boomerang.

In collaboration with Professor Qusay Al-Turkiye, a Saudi archaeologist based in Australia, it was confirmed that these engravings date them as older than the Australian boomerang models, which were previously believed to be the original source.

Al-Nashmi said: “Together with Professor Qusay Al-Turkiye, we successfully gathered comprehensive insights into the Australian boomerang.

“Our extensive research led to a groundbreaking discovery: This tool was not exclusive to Australia, but was, in fact, known in the Hail region for millennia.

“The rock engravings, which depict various forms of the boomerang, serve as undeniable evidence that the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula possessed knowledge of this tool long ago.”

“The repeated discovery of boomerang models in various regions such as Europe, Australia and Saudi Arabia indicates that this tool was used for multiple purposes in ancient cultures.

“It is clear that the diverse uses of the boomerang required the development of different shapes, designs and sizes, suited to specific purposes such as hunting, games, music and digging,” Al-Nashmi said.

Al-Nashmi, who also vice president of the Boomerang Club in Hail, added: “It is also likely that these designs did not transfer between different peoples but were locally crafted within each region, maintaining similar goals.”

“We are confident that this discovery underscores the profound depth of civilization and the storied history of the Hail region,” Al-Nashmi said.

Professor Al-Turkiye added: “The rock engravings portray skilled hunters wearing masks shaped like birds or ibexes, using hunting tools that flew with remarkable precision to capture deer, birds, and even wild cattle.

“These details underscore that the Arabian boomerang was not just a hunting instrument, but a significant component of a highly developed culture.”

The tool is globally known as the “boomerang,” a term derived from the Dharuk language of one of the Australian indigenous tribes, the Turuwal people.

However, Saudi researchers revealed that its linguistic roots trace back to the Akkadian word “taqntu/taqttu,” meaning to kill or hunt, which appears in cuneiform inscriptions dating to the fourth millennium BCE.

The Arabic name “Al-Arjoon” refers to the tool’s curved shape, reminiscent of the frond of a palm tree, giving it a local identity that has redefined its global recognition.

The event unfolds over four days under the patronage of the governor of Hail, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad, and includes tests of accuracy, distance and technique.

Athletes challenge one another to throw the boomerang in a way that ensures it returns with a precise curve, drawing inspiration from the techniques of ancient hunters.

The championship also coincides with a rock art exhibition at Rata, one of the archaeological sites in the Hail region, featuring rare specimens of a range of ancient boomerangs.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad said that the event was “a tribute to a profound human legacy.”

“Hail once again confirms its status as the cradle of civilizations, demonstrating its ability to revive its heritage in a manner that resonates globally.”

The prince embraced the idea of turning the discovery into a living heritage, establishing the Hail Boomerang Club, led by Nasser Al-Shammari, who designed a boomerang specifically for the championship.

In collaboration with the International Federation of Boomerang Associations, the event was co-organized by world champion Logan Broadbent from the US and Roger Perry, president of the Boomerang Association of Australia.

Perry said: “The world will discover that this sport is not just a game, but a story of humanity using nature to craft its tools, and Hail has written a new chapter in this story.”


African group attends pilgrim program

African group attends pilgrim program
Updated 30 January 2025
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African group attends pilgrim program

African group attends pilgrim program

MAKKAH: The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance on Wednesday held an open day for the third group of participants in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visitation.

The group included 250 pilgrims from 18 African countries.

The open day involved a range of cultural and recreational competitions.

Attendees expressed their gratitude and appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their hospitality, asking God to reward them for their services to Islam and Muslims.

They also praised the efforts of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, and said that the program followed the highest standards.

The program enables visitors to perform Umrah and visit religious, cultural and civilizational monuments in Makkah and Madinah.

Its executive director, Ali bin Abdullah Al-Zughaibi, welcomed the visitors, and said that the program is part of the leadership’s keenness on communicating with Muslims and spreading the spirit of Islamic brotherhood.


National Center for Vegetation Cover launches investment opportunities

National Center for Vegetation Cover launches investment opportunities
Updated 30 January 2025
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National Center for Vegetation Cover launches investment opportunities

National Center for Vegetation Cover launches investment opportunities

RIYADH: New investment opportunities have been announced by the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification.

These focus on recycling reclaimed firewood from logging violations and managing invasive plant species by converting them into alternative economic products, said a press statement released on Thursday.

The aim is foster public-private collaboration in addressing environmental challenges, generate economic value from reclaimed wood and invasive trees, and drive innovative solutions that support both environmental sustainability and economic growth.

The initiative will also contribute to the long-term preservation of forests, rangelands and natural ecosystems while creating job opportunities. 

Associations, companies and government entities specializing in recycling, craftsmanship, manufacturing, organic products, construction and transformative industries are invited to apply via the NCVC website.

Applications are open until mid-February. Investors must adhere to environmental regulations and executive bylaws on logging violations which prohibit the direct use or resale of firewood as fuel.

“As part of its commitment to sustainable development, the center continues to offer both long term and seasonal investment opportunities to expand vegetation cover, support afforestation projects, conserve natural resources and enhance quality of life,” said the press release.