Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Celebrates Birth of its 15th Arabian Oryx Calf

The reserve announced the birth of its 15th Arabian oryx calf since the launch of its rewilding program in late 2022. SPA
The reserve announced the birth of its 15th Arabian oryx calf since the launch of its rewilding program in late 2022. SPA
TT

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Celebrates Birth of its 15th Arabian Oryx Calf

The reserve announced the birth of its 15th Arabian oryx calf since the launch of its rewilding program in late 2022. SPA
The reserve announced the birth of its 15th Arabian oryx calf since the launch of its rewilding program in late 2022. SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve has announced the birth of its 15th Arabian oryx calf since the launch of its rewilding program in late 2022, as part of the reserve’s Integrated Development Management Plan (IDMP), launched under the leadership of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, chairman of the Board of Directors.

“The birth of the reserve’s 15th oryx is a milestone in our conservation work and our contribution to the regional conservation effort to establish sustainable wild populations of this culturally iconic Arabian species across its native terrain,” a statement quoted CEO of the Reserve Andrew Zaloumis as saying.

The Arabian oryx, once extinct in the wild across the Arabian Peninsula, was declared extinct in the 1970s due to overhunting and loss of habitat.

Sustained conservation and reintroduction programs have since led to its reclassification as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, highlighting its remarkable recovery.

The reserve’s habitat restoration program continues to support the reintroduction of native species, strengthen ecological resilience, and restore connectivity across landscapes — proof of the reserve’s commitment to Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.



Out-of-Control Australia Bushfire Will Burn for Days, Officials Say

 22 December 2024, Australia, Halls Gap: A general view of a smokey Lake Bellfield at Halls Gap. Immediate evacuation orders are in place for towns across Victoria as out-of-control blazes and sweltering temperatures begin Australia's bushfire season. Photo: James Ross/AAP/dpa
22 December 2024, Australia, Halls Gap: A general view of a smokey Lake Bellfield at Halls Gap. Immediate evacuation orders are in place for towns across Victoria as out-of-control blazes and sweltering temperatures begin Australia's bushfire season. Photo: James Ross/AAP/dpa
TT

Out-of-Control Australia Bushfire Will Burn for Days, Officials Say

 22 December 2024, Australia, Halls Gap: A general view of a smokey Lake Bellfield at Halls Gap. Immediate evacuation orders are in place for towns across Victoria as out-of-control blazes and sweltering temperatures begin Australia's bushfire season. Photo: James Ross/AAP/dpa
22 December 2024, Australia, Halls Gap: A general view of a smokey Lake Bellfield at Halls Gap. Immediate evacuation orders are in place for towns across Victoria as out-of-control blazes and sweltering temperatures begin Australia's bushfire season. Photo: James Ross/AAP/dpa

An uncontained bushfire raging in Australia's Victoria state that has prompted an evacuation order for hundreds of residents will burn for several days, officials said on Sunday.

The order to leave immediately, set at the highest danger rating, remained in place for the fire in and around Grampians National Park, about 241 km (149 miles) west of state capital Melbourne, Victoria's emergency services agency said on its website.

"There's a lot of unburnt fuel in the Grampians still, so it's quite a challenge for the days ahead", Country Fire Authority deputy chief officer Garry Cook told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, referring to the fire that now covered 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres) of bush.

The blaze, sparked on Tuesday by lightning, prompted authorities on Saturday to urge residents of several rural towns such as Halls Gap, population 495, to evacuate.

Hundreds of firefighters have battled the bushfire, using more than 100 tankers and 25 aircraft, ABC reported on Saturday.

Authorities have warned of a high-risk bushfire season this Australian summer after several quiet seasons. The 2019-2020 "Black Summer" fires destroyed an area the size of Türkiye and killed 33 people.