Saudi Arabia reintroduces red-necked ostrich to protected reserve after near-century absence.

The red-necked ostrich, extinct in Saudi Arabia for nearly a century, has been reintroduced to the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, a 24,500 km² protected area. The effort, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Green Initiative, aims to restore a native species lost to overhunting and habitat loss. A founding population of five birds—genetically closest to the extinct Arabian ostrich—were released to reestablish ecological balance, with the project supported by national and international partners. The return marks a milestone in desert rewilding and biodiversity recovery.