Saudi Film Commission Participates in 2024 Toronto International Film Festivalhttps://english.aawsat.com/varieties/5058448-saudi-film-commission-participates-2024-toronto-international-film-festival
Saudi Film Commission Participates in 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
The Saudi Film Commission logo
The Saudi Film Commission is participating in the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), held from September 5 to 15.
TIFF is one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, drawing filmmakers, critics, and audiences globally and serving as a premier platform for showcasing global cinema.
This year, the commission will feature a dedicated pavilion highlighting prominent Saudi film projects and initiatives, providing visitors with a unique experience to explore the Kingdom's vast history and vibrant creativity in the film industry.
In addition, a delegation from the commission, along with a group of Saudi filmmakers, will be attending to represent the diverse talents and voices of the Saudi film community.
The pavilion embodies the commission’s commitment to advancing the film industry in Saudi Arabia, showcasing recent achievements and highlighting opportunities for international collaboration and partnerships. It aims to attract global interest in Saudi stories and productions while strengthening connections with filmmakers from around the world.
The Saudi Film Commission's participation in the Toronto International Film Festival aligns with its strategy to elevate Saudi cinema on the global stage, support Saudi talent, and contribute to the growth of the global film industry.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority Discovers Endangered Vulture Breeding Colonieshttps://english.aawsat.com/varieties/5058353-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-royal-reserve-development-authority-discovers
Griffon vultures coexist with other predators, such as wolves and hyenas, who play an essential role in vultures' ability to feed. (SPA)
TT
TT
Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority Discovers Endangered Vulture Breeding Colonies
Griffon vultures coexist with other predators, such as wolves and hyenas, who play an essential role in vultures' ability to feed. (SPA)
The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority announced on Friday the rare discovery of three breeding colonies of Eurasian Griffon vultures The Griffon vulture is listed as endangered in the Middle East.
It made the announcement on World Vulture Awareness Day.
The Griffon vulture and vultures globally face a serious conservation crisis, the Authority said in a statement. Acting as nature's clean-up crew, vultures are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems and preventing disease outbreaks.
“The endangered Griffon vulture is an uncommon breeding resident in Saudi Arabia. Reserve scientists have discovered four active nests with adults incubating eggs and raising chicks using drones and are closely monitoring them,” said Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority.
“Griffon vultures are a significant indicator of the reserve's improving environmental health. These breeding colonies are a testament to the reserve's conservation work and role as a sanctuary for Saudi Arabia's natural heritage,” he added.
In 2023, two Griffon vultures were tagged and released into the reserve in a joint initiative with the National Center for Wildlife. (SPA)
Under the reserve's recently launched Integrated Development Management Plan, vulture breeding colonies are afforded the highest level of protection. The 24,500 km² Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stretches from the lava plains of the Harrat Rahat volcanic fields to the deep Red Sea in the west and is home to 15 distinct ecosystems and over 50% of the Kingdom's species, making it one of the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.
Individual Griffon vultures have previously been recorded roosting throughout the reserve's mountain ranges, however this is the first time breeding colonies with nesting sites have been confirmed. Four active nests in three separate breeding colonies with adults incubating eggs and chicks approximately two to three months of age were discovered in the sandstone mountains of the Jabel Qaraqir section of the reserve. A further 37 potential nesting sites are also being monitored.
In 2023, two Griffon vultures were tagged and released into the reserve in a joint initiative with the National Center for Wildlife.
Griffon vultures coexist with other predators, such as wolves and hyenas, who play an essential role in vultures' ability to feed. The absence of predators and the widespread poisoning of vultures in many parts of the world results in few reaching breeding maturity. Building awareness of this wonder of nature that is responsible for supporting ecosystems' health and keeping diseases in check is essential for the conservation of the species.
The reserve's restoration and rewilding initiative is reestablishing safe vulture habitats and reintroducing prey species, and the recently discovered nests will continue to be monitored. At a local level, this is supported by the reserve-wide school's education and community outreach programs.
