The Prince of Wales, William, expressed admiration for the "stunning" desert landscapes of a Saudi Arabian nature reserve as his official visit to the Middle East reached its conclusion. The future king, a longstanding advocate for wildlife conservation, dedicated much of Wednesday morning to exploring the vast Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla province.
Exploring the Desert Wilderness
William was transported through dramatic red sandstone canyons and past sweeping sand dunes in a convoy of more than twenty 4x4 vehicles. During the driving tour, he learned about ambitious conservation initiatives aimed at reintroducing native species, most notably the critically endangered Arabian leopard. The reserve spans an impressive 1,540 square kilometres of desert, mountainous terrain, and former rangeland, being developed as a premier cultural and heritage destination under the guidance of Saudi culture minister Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud.
A Vision for Conservation and Tourism
At the Alqaliba Mountain viewpoint, William met with Saudi rangers who detailed their conservation work and commitment to local communities. He inquired about the significance of AlUla, to which Prince Badr responded by highlighting the region's unique heritage and natural topography as foundational to its strategic development. William remarked on the excitement of the project's vision, stating, "That they have a vision to do this is really exciting – the tourism will come." He noted the initiative's relative newness, having begun in 2019, and expressed optimism that its progress could inspire similar efforts globally.
The Crown Jewel: Arabian Leopard Reintroduction
Later, at the site of the Dancing Rocks—twisted stone towers shaped by wind erosion in the Raggasat Valley—William was briefed on the reserve's "crown jewel": plans to reintroduce the Arabian leopard by 2035. In preparation, extensive ecological restoration has been undertaken, including planting acacia woodlands and shrubs, and reintroducing native gazelles and Arabian oryx as prey for the big cat. William confirmed the leopard's historical role as the apex predator in the area, a fact affirmed by officials.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson elaborated, stating that the Zoological Society of London partners with the Royal Commission for AlUla to support conservation projects, including rewilding the critically endangered leopard in Sharaan Nature Reserve. This collaboration underscores the international significance of the effort.
Hands-On Conservation Efforts
William also visited another location where he learned about the habitat and restoration team's work, which involved planting 500,000 trees last year with plans for 10 million more over the next decade to rejuvenate the local ecosystem. Demonstrating his personal commitment, the royal planted an acacia sapling in a wadi, or dry river bed, opting to forgo gloves and remarking, "I like to get my hands dirty." This hands-on approach highlighted his deep engagement with environmental causes.
Throughout the visit, William praised the scenic beauty, particularly at the Dancing Rocks, where he exclaimed, "It's stunning scenery, it really is. I love looking down the valley as well." His tour not only showcased Saudi Arabia's natural wonders but also reinforced his role as a global champion for wildlife conservation, leaving a lasting impression as he wrapped up his diplomatic mission.
