AlUla, 02 Safar 1448 AH corresponding to 16 July 2026 AD, SPA - The Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate, in collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), launched a specialized program to track the Lappet-faced vulture using the Global Positioning System (GPS), as part of its efforts to conserve wildlife, employ scientific research and innovation to protect endangered species, and support environmental studies and protected area management in AlUla. The initiative comes under a research partnership with KAUST, aiming to employ advanced technologies and environmental data analysis to support wildlife species protection, and develop conservation and sustainable management decisions for protected areas based on scientific foundations. The program's work included installing a solar-powered tracking device on one Lappet-faced vulture after spotting an active nest and conducting field monitoring, along with necessary veterinary checks, before returning it to its nest. The program aims to collect field data on the movements and behavior of the Lappet-faced vulture after it leaves the nest, contribute to identifying important habitats, environmental needs, and movement paths, and monitor potential risk areas, thus supporting efforts to protect natural habitats and develop protected area management on a scientific basis. The program's importance lies in its ability to provide field data that help understand the movements and environmental needs of the Lappet-faced vulture, supporting more accurate future decisions to protect this species and its natural habitats. The program extends the commission's efforts in employing modern technologies to monitor wildlife species and study their behavior, and using data to support environmental studies, evaluate wildlife conservation programs, and guide protection efforts. The Lappet-faced vulture is one of the largest vulture species in its geographic range, classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, and is considered an indicator species for ecosystem health, as its presence and successful breeding reflect the quality and balance of natural habitats. Vultures play an important ecological role in removing carcasses, recycling nutrients, and contributing to maintaining ecosystem balance. Field monitoring results indicate the regular presence of between 20 and 30 Lappet-faced vultures in AlUla, representing about 2.5% of the national population of this species, along with the observation of four breeding pairs in the region during the current season, including the pair that raised the vulture fitted with the tracking device. The data from the program is expected to contribute to studies on nesting sites, food sources, movement paths, and areas less affected by human activities, in addition to supporting future research and long-term planning for protected area management in AlUla. The program falls under the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate's work in environmental monitoring and biodiversity, which includes monitoring various wildlife species, conducting environmental studies, restoring natural habitats, and employing modern technologies and research partnerships. This extends the commission's previous monitoring of various living organisms, supporting efforts to conserve biodiversity, sustain wildlife species, and the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030. // End // 16:29 T M 0108

AlUla, 02 Safar 1448 AH corresponding to 16 July 2026 AD, SPA - The Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate, in collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), launched a specialized program to track the Lappet-faced vulture using the Global Positioning System (GPS), as part of its efforts to conserve wildlife, employ scientific research and innovation to protect endangered species, and support environmental studies and protected area management in AlUla. The initiative comes under a research partnership with KAUST, aiming to employ advanced technologies and environmental data analysis to support wildlife species protection, and develop conservation and sustainable management decisions for protected areas based on scientific foundations. The program's work included installing a solar-powered tracking device on one Lappet-faced vulture after spotting an active nest and conducting field monitoring, along with necessary veterinary checks, before returning it to its nest. The program aims to collect field data on the movements and behavior of the Lappet-faced vulture after it leaves the nest, contribute to identifying important habitats, environmental needs, and movement paths, and monitor potential risk areas, thus supporting efforts to protect natural habitats and develop protected area management on a scientific basis. The program's importance lies in its ability to provide field data that help understand the movements and environmental needs of the Lappet-faced vulture, supporting more accurate future decisions to protect this species and its natural habitats. The program extends the commission's efforts in employing modern technologies to monitor wildlife species and study their behavior, and using data to support environmental studies, evaluate wildlife conservation programs, and guide protection efforts. The Lappet-faced vulture is one of the largest vulture species in its geographic range, classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, and is considered an indicator species for ecosystem health, as its presence and successful breeding reflect the quality and balance of natural habitats. Vultures play an important ecological role in removing carcasses, recycling nutrients, and contributing to maintaining ecosystem balance. Field monitoring results indicate the regular presence of between 20 and 30 Lappet-faced vultures in AlUla, representing about 2.5% of the national population of this species, along with the observation of four breeding pairs in the region during the current season, including the pair that raised the vulture fitted with the tracking device. The data from the program is expected to contribute to studies on nesting sites, food sources, movement paths, and areas less affected by human activities, in addition to supporting future research and long-term planning for protected area management in AlUla. The program falls under the Royal Commission for AlUla Governorate's work in environmental monitoring and biodiversity, which includes monitoring various wildlife species, conducting environmental studies, restoring natural habitats, and employing modern technologies and research partnerships. This extends the commission's previous monitoring of various living organisms, supporting efforts to conserve biodiversity, sustain wildlife species, and the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030. // End // 16:29 T M 0108