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Saudi NCW Releases 15 Arabian Sand Gazelles at Buraydah Oasis Park

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) Eng. Abdulrahman Alfadley released 15 Arabian Sand Gazelles at Buraydah Oasis Park. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) Eng. Abdulrahman Alfadley released 15 Arabian Sand Gazelles at Buraydah Oasis Park. (SPA)
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Saudi NCW Releases 15 Arabian Sand Gazelles at Buraydah Oasis Park

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) Eng. Abdulrahman Alfadley released 15 Arabian Sand Gazelles at Buraydah Oasis Park. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) Eng. Abdulrahman Alfadley released 15 Arabian Sand Gazelles at Buraydah Oasis Park. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) Eng. Abdulrahman Alfadley released 15 Arabian Sand Gazelles at Buraydah Oasis Park in the Qassim Region.

The move is part of the breeding and reintroduction program for endangered wildlife species for the 2024-2025 season. It also represents an extension of collaborative efforts among various environmental sectors to boost biodiversity, restore ecological balance, and promote environmental sustainability in the region.

The event marks the beginning of this year's wildlife release season and continues the NCW's initiatives to breed endangered species and reintroduce them into national parks and natural reserves. It highlights the strong cooperation between the Center and national entities with shared interests in environmental conservation, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

CEO of the NCW Dr. Mohammed bin Ali Qurban stated that the release at Buraydah Oasis Park was conducted in collaboration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) and the National Water Company (NWC). The goal is to bolster the oasis's appeal and raise environmental awareness among its visitors.

The NCW assessed the area’s current and future biodiversity to determine the significance of releasing these species, thereby enriching biodiversity in the oasis and its surrounding areas, which boasts resident and migratory species, he added.

The initiative is aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and supports the National Strategy for Environmental Conservation. (SPA)

The NCW's efforts in national parks not only bolster ecotourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but also create additional economic opportunities for the local community, he added. The NCW remains committed to partnering with the community and relevant stakeholders.

Qurban stressed that the release is part of ongoing collaboration within the environmental system to develop and implement national plans for wildlife development by breeding and reintroducing endangered local species, rehabilitating ecosystems, and enriching biodiversity in the Kingdom.

The initiative is aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) and supports the National Strategy for Environmental Conservation, contributing to the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to create a positive and attractive environment and improve the quality of life.

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Monkeys Who Recently Died in Hong Kong's Zoo Had Been Infected with Melioidosis

Giant tubeworms on the seafloor surface at 2,500 meters water depth at the East Pacific Rise, a volcanically active ridge located where two tectonic plates meet on the floor of the Pacific Ocean in this undated photograph.CC BY-NC-SA Schmidt Ocean Institute/Handout via REUTERS
Giant tubeworms on the seafloor surface at 2,500 meters water depth at the East Pacific Rise, a volcanically active ridge located where two tectonic plates meet on the floor of the Pacific Ocean in this undated photograph.CC BY-NC-SA Schmidt Ocean Institute/Handout via REUTERS
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Monkeys Who Recently Died in Hong Kong's Zoo Had Been Infected with Melioidosis

Giant tubeworms on the seafloor surface at 2,500 meters water depth at the East Pacific Rise, a volcanically active ridge located where two tectonic plates meet on the floor of the Pacific Ocean in this undated photograph.CC BY-NC-SA Schmidt Ocean Institute/Handout via REUTERS
Giant tubeworms on the seafloor surface at 2,500 meters water depth at the East Pacific Rise, a volcanically active ridge located where two tectonic plates meet on the floor of the Pacific Ocean in this undated photograph.CC BY-NC-SA Schmidt Ocean Institute/Handout via REUTERS

Nine monkeys who died in Hong Kong's oldest zoo in two days this week had been infected with an endemic disease, possibly after some digging work near their cages, officials said on Friday.

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung said in a press briefing that the animals in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens contracted melioidosis and the disease later caused them to develop sepsis, according to The AP.

Yeung stressed that such infections typically occur through contact with contaminated soil and water and that there is generally no danger to humans from contact with infected animals or people.

“We're saddened by the passing of the nine monkeys,” he said.

Eight monkeys were found dead on Sunday, and another died Monday after displaying unusual behavior. The deceased animals were a De Brazza’s monkey, a common squirrel monkey, four white-faced sakis and three cotton-top tamarins — a species listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

According to Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection, melioidosis is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is widespread in soils and muddy water.

Yeung said the park conducted digging work to repair some irrigation pipes under the flower bed near the monkey cages in early October and that the deaths might be related to that.

He said the monkeys might have come into contact with the bacteria after the park's staff walked into their cages with possibly contaminated shoes. Another possibility is that some infected monkeys had close contact with other monkeys, he said.

“The incubation period for melioidosis in primates is about a week and this matched with the period after the soil digging work,” he said.

Edwin Tsui, the controller of the center, said the incident only happened in a single zone and its impact on Hong Kong residents would be very low.

Yeung on Monday held an urgent interdepartmental meeting about the deaths with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Department of Health.

Another De Brazza’s monkey also displayed unusual behavior and appetite but offiicials said its condition remained stable on Friday.

The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens — the oldest park in the former British colony — fully opened to the public in 1871. It is a rare urban oasis in the downtown Central district of the financial hub, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.