First male onager born in Saudi Arabia in over a century

In June 2025, the first male onager was born at the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve in Saudi Arabia. This significant event marks the first onager birth in the region in over a century, highlighting the success of ongoing conservation efforts. The onager, a critically endangered species, has been absent from the Arabian Peninsula for more than 100 years.

The birth is part of a broader rewilding program that aims to reintroduce 23 native species to their historical habitats. The onager population in the wild is critically low, with fewer than 600 individuals remaining, emphasizing the urgency of these conservation initiatives.

The onager (Equus hemionus) has faced severe population decline, classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. The reintroduction of onagers to Saudi Arabia began in April 2024, with the aim of restoring this species to its native ecosystem. The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve plays a crucial role in these efforts, focusing on establishing sustainable breeding herds.

This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need to address biodiversity loss in the Arabian Peninsula. By reintroducing native species, stakeholders hope to restore ecological balance and promote environmental stewardship in the region.

The successful birth of the onager signifies a hopeful step towards restoring biodiversity in the Arabian Peninsula. Looking ahead, two additional onagers are expected to be born this winter, which could further bolster the population. Ongoing conservation efforts will likely focus on enhancing genetic diversity and establishing separate breeding herds for long-term sustainability.

As these initiatives progress, they may pave the way for increased awareness and support for wildlife conservation in the region. The outcomes of this program could serve as a benchmark for similar efforts worldwide, highlighting the importance of preserving endangered species.