Areesh was one among them. Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has around 900,000 camels, while there are nearly 380,000 camels in the UAE and 125,000 in Oman. But, it does not mean that Saudi Arabia is home to camels only. In fact, the Kingdom can boast of a huge variety of flora and fauna all along its marine coasts, deserts, plains or on its mountain ranges.
Few people think of Saudi Arabia as a travel destination for eco-tourists and yet the country contains many fascinating wildlife habitats, including a number that have remained relatively undisturbed. Whether one is interested in marinelife, plantlife; invertebrates such as butterflies and other insects; reptiles, birds, mammals or other animals, it is likely that intelligent exploration will surprise and delight those who make the effort.
To an inquisitive explorer, the Kingdom opens up a whole new dimension to one’s perception of this vast country. Saudi Arabia has over 33, 000 square miles of land which is protected by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD), the state-owned apex regulatory and conservation body. A wide variety of exotic animals can be seen in these areas including baboons, Arabian wolves, sand cats, caracals, ibex, leopards, gazelles, wild camels and reptiles.
Of the many wildlife parks the Asir National Park is perhaps the most famous as it has seashore, mountain and desert within its boundaries. The park features animals including mammals and reptiles of diverse creed, species and color. Since Saudi Arabia is located on migratory pathways there can be millions of birds in the country during the migrations. This is yet another advantage for those who are looking for ecotourism in this country. This is addition to a number of animals that live on the sands of the country. Examples of desert adapted flora and fauna are cacti and acacias, while date and palm trees flourish in the more water rich oases. Off the coastal areas of Saudi Arabia marine life such as sea turtles and coral reefs can be experienced through diving. On the other hand, fossils are in abundance in Saudi Arabia and many sites are open to curious foragers. The central region of the Kingdom is covered mainly in desert and rocky escarpments and typical birds of such habitat can be found. From Riyadh, one can get to decent birding spots about half an hour away, such as the Riyadh River and the escarpments and farms at Dirab. A little further afield on the northern side is a reserve at Thumamah, which usually contains a similar assortment of birds as the farms in Dirab, but you’ll need to apply well in advance for a permit to get in.
The Riyadh River is good for Herons and Egrets in particular. Look out for Least Bittern and Squacco Heron among the commoner species. White-cheeked Bulbuls are abundant, and you could get looks at various wintering / migrant birds in season, such as White-tailed Lapwing, Collared Pratincole, and various raptors. This is in addition to a variety of insects and creatures that criss-cross the city and even enter into the homes.
In winter, and also early spring and late autumn, the Dirab area is a great place to bird in Riyadh region. The farms here can contain lots of wheatears, including Pied, Hooded, Red-tailed, Desert, Isabelline, Mourning, Northern and Black-eared; and larks, though Crested and Desert are the most likely (Not far from here you can find Hoopoe Lark in any desert area, while Black-crowned Finch, Bar-tailed and Dunn’s are more local).
Dirab is also good for Trumpeter and Desert Finch, and House Bunting; and in November, for Hypocolius. Desert and Scrub Warbler are resident, while Orphean, Barred and Marsh Warbler will join the more common Olivaceous, Reed, and Willow Warblers etc in spring. Other characteristic birds of the region include Black and Rufous Bush Chats, Blackstart, Indian Silverbill, Tawny Pipit and three species of Bee-eater.
The raptors though, will impress as much as anything here, as they winter in big numbers. Most are Steppe Eagles, but one can easily find Imperial Eagles amongst them, and there are also Spotted and Short-toed Eagles, Black Kites and the resident Long-legged Buzzards. Golden Eagle is also occasionally seen. Accipiters and Falcons are less commonly seen, except for Kestrel, which is common, but Harriers are usually around, including fairly good numbers of Pallid and Montagu`s.
If you travel to Jeddah, then it has its own animal world. Jeddah is good for seeing Demoiselle Cranes on migration, and perhaps not far from the breeding grounds of Sooty Falcon on the Red Sea coast. Haradh on the edge of the Empty Quarter in the east apparently attracts migrant Corncrakes in good numbers, and wintering Thick-billed Lark. A little far to Abha in Asir Province, one can enjoy the company of nature and creature.
Some birding time, concentrating mainly on the Mount (Jabal) Soudah region of the highlands, will be a lifelong experience. At just over 3000 meters Jebal Souda is the highest peak in Saudi Arabia and includes the Raydah protected area on its western escarpment, and is surrounded by a plateau, mostly over 2500 meters. The south-west of Arabia is the stronghold of the Arabian endemic bird fauna with 10 of the 11 endemic species in Arabia occurring in this area, the missing species being Arabian Accentor Prunella fagani. In addition the highlands are the only place in the Gulf region, where the Asir endemic race of the Eurasian Magpie occurs, which is given specific status by some authorities. The summer is probably the best time to visit as many afro-tropical summer visitors arrive to breed such as White-throated Bee-eater and Grey-headed Kingfisher. The region does, however, have a wide diversity of bird life throughout the year with varied vegetation and topography.
It will be essential to note here that the Saudi government is exerting efforts to conserve the extinct animals, birds and other species of animals. Of late, the over-utilization of rangelands and excessive hunting have extirpated larger mammal species in the Kingdom. Notoriously harsh environmental conditions, an increasing human population and competition with large free-ranging herds of domestic stock - mainly camels - further exacerbate the plight of wildlife in Saudi Arabia.
But, thanks to the efforts of the Saudi government and its agencies. Saudi Wildlife Commission (SWC) has established a system of protected areas and captive breeding programs for gazelles, Arabian oryx and houbara bustard for re-introduction to suitable, managed protected areas. Its mission is to develop and implement plans to preserve wildlife in its natural ecology and to propose the establishment of proper protected areas and reserves for wildlife in Saudi Arabia.

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