Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority in Saudi Arabia announced the rare discovery of three breeding colonies of Eurasian Griffon vultures on World Vulture Awareness Day, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Friday.

The Griffon vulture is listed as endangered in the Middle East. Vultures globally face a serious conservation crisis. Acting as nature’s clean-up crew, vultures are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems and preventing disease outbreaks.

Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, said, “The endangered Griffon vulture is an uncommon breeding resident in Saudi Arabia. Reserve scientists have discovered four active nests with adults incubating eggs and raising chicks, using drones and are closely monitoring them.”

He pointed out that 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 sanctuar
y for Saudi Arabia’s natural heritage.’

Under the reserve’s recently launched Integrated Development Management Plan, vulture breeding colonies are afforded the highest level of protection. The 24,500 km Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stretches from the lava plains of the Harrat Rahat volcanic fields 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.

Individual Griffon vultures have previously been recorded roosting throughout the reserve’s mountain ranges, however this is 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 to three months of age were discovered in the sandstone mountains of the Jabel Qaraqir section of the reserve. A further 37 potential nesting sites are also being monitored.

Source: Emirates News Agency