المملكة: King Abdulaziz Reserve…the first documented monitoring of…"Golden jackal" In Riyadh
Declared King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, recording the first documented observation of an animal "Golden jackal" (Canis aureus) within the protected area with Riyadh Region, in a scientific and environmental achievement that reflects the success of the Authority’s efforts to protect Biodiversity and enhancing the sustainability of natural habitats.
The Authority explained that the monitoring was carried out within the environmental monitoring program using field surveillance cameras (Camera Traps), where 103 cameras were distributed in various natural environments within the reserve, located within the scope of the Riyadh and Eastern Province regions; With the aim of documenting large and medium-sized mammals that are difficult to monitor by traditional means, due to their shy nature and rarity.
Field Monitoring
Monitoring results showed that field surveillance cameras documented the recording of two individuals of an animal "Golden jackal" Inside Al-Tanha Oasis; This is considered the first confirmed scientific documentation of the existence of this species within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, and in the center of the Kingdom in general.
In this context, the official spokesman for the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, Abdulaziz Al-Furaih, confirmed that recording the appearance of the golden jackal in the Riyadh region is not just a passing observation, but rather represents a living testimony to the success of the ecosystem rehabilitation projects adopted by the Authority, explaining that the artificial aquarium oasis has proven its effectiveness as a pioneering model in creating incubating environments for organisms. The Authority promised that the emergence of this species within The reserve reflects an expansion in the scope of its spread and a noticeable improvement in the quality of natural habitats and the availability of water and food resources, especially after the establishment of the artificial annah oasis in 2025, which includes an artificial lake with fresh water and around it local natural plants such as: Sidr and acacia, which contributed to attracting wildlife, including mammals and birds.
Limited data
It is noteworthy that this discovery is of particular importance in light of the limited data available on the distribution of "Golden jackal" In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its previous recordings were limited to the areas of Al-Hofuf and Al-Jubail in the Eastern Province, and in Tabarjal and Dumat Al-Jandal in the Al-Jawf region, and its last recordings were in 2024 in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve in the northwest of the Kingdom.
This monitoring also reflects the Authority’s efforts to strengthen environmental research and monitoring programs, and support the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in protecting wildlife and preserving biodiversity.
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