RIYADH: The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has welcomed 66 new recruits—40 women and 26 men—into its fifth ranger corps. Selected from local communities, they will join the existing 180-strong ranger team to support conservation efforts.
Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the reserve, emphasized the importance of local recruits, stating, “These individuals know the land, its flora, fauna, and communities, making them natural guardians of the Kingdom’s rich natural and cultural heritage.”
The rigorous selection process saw 18,000 applicants undergo written and physical tests along with multiple interviews. The nine-week training program, led by Ali Al-Balawi, covers conservation management, ecological monitoring, wildlife tracking, self-defense, first aid, and off-road driving.
The rangers will collaborate with the Special Forces for Environmental Security and the Border Guard to protect the reserve’s ecosystems. Their duties include overseeing animal reintroductions, monitoring biodiversity, and ensuring development projects comply with environmental regulations.
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, one of Saudi Arabia’s eight royal reserves, spans diverse landscapes from the Harrat lava plains to the Red Sea. It is home to 15 distinct ecosystems and over 50% of the Kingdom’s species. The reserve is committed to Saudi Arabia’s sustainability goals, including the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the Kingdom’s land and marine areas by 2030.
