The Prince of Wales has wrapped up his official visit to Saudi Arabia with a significant tour of the ancient Sharaan Nature Reserve, highlighting the Kingdom's pioneering environmental efforts. On the concluding day of his trip, Prince William, a dedicated advocate for wildlife conservation, explored this 7,000-year-old archaeological site in the Medina region, which is central to Saudi Arabia's cultural transformation strategy.
Exploring a Crown Jewel of Conservation
Sharaan Nature Reserve, spanning 1,540 square kilometres of desert, mountains, and former rangeland, is often described as one of Saudi Arabia's "crown jewels." Led by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, the Minister of Culture and Governor for the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), this private reserve is not generally accessible to the public. It forms part of AlUla's six nature reserves, covering over 50% of AlUla County and aiming to restore 65,000 hectares of degraded land.
A Focus on Wildlife and Community
During his visit, Prince William, dressed in navy chinos, a khaki shirt, and brown walking boots, was guided by Bassim Al Balawi, a Lead Ranger born in AlUla. The tour included three key stops focusing on wildlife conservation, land restoration, and ecology. At the Alqaliba Mountain Viewpoint, William met with Saudi rangers who briefed him on their conservation work and community engagement. He remarked, "The local community are used to what they've got - unless you show them something different, they don't know what to do."
He engaged Prince Badr in conversation, asking why AlUla is so special. The prince explained, "We have the heritage and the natural topography here so it makes sense for the strategy of AlUla." William expressed enthusiasm for the vision, noting, "That they have a vision to do this is really exciting. The tourism will come. What I find so exciting is it's so new, this all started in 2019, it's going to be so exciting to see all the progress. So many others will say, 'if Saudi Arabia can do it, we can do it.'"
Ambitious Reintroduction Plans
A major highlight of the conservation project is the plan to reintroduce the critically endangered Arabian Leopard to Sharaan by 2035. Rangers informed William that the leopard has not been seen in AlUla since the 1980s, with only 38 individuals remaining in Saudi Arabia, all in captivity. He inquired, "And what about the Arabian leopard? When was it last here?" underscoring his interest in this flagship species.
The reserve supports ecosystem rebalancing by preserving and reintroducing native species such as gazelles, the Arabian oryx, and acacia woodlands. The Zoological Society of London partners with the RCU to aid in rewilding efforts for these endangered animals.
Hands-On Conservation Efforts
At another stop, William participated in the land restoration programme, planting an acacia tree alongside Prince Badr. He praised the rangers' work, saying, "It's hard work for you guys, I'd have thought, it's a big area you've got to cover. It must be quite exciting getting the vegetation and wildlife and what impact it will have. The tourists will come too. Well, good luck guys. Lots to do, it'll keep you busy."
The tour concluded at the 'Dancing Rocks' formation, where William learned more about ongoing initiatives to protect and reintroduce native species. This visit underscores AlUla's development as a leading cultural and heritage destination, with investments in arts, archaeology, infrastructure, and community training.
Prince William's engagement at Sharaan Nature Reserve marks a significant moment in highlighting global conservation efforts, showcasing Saudi Arabia's commitment to environmental sustainability and cultural preservation.
