Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife is looking at ways to deal with the country’s growing baboon population that is impacting the environment, farming and recreational areas.
The center recently held a workshop with experts and various stakeholders, with a focus on hotspots in Makkah, Madinah, Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan and Najran.
Mohammed Ali Qurban, the center’s CEO, said at the workshop that this has been an issue in the country for over four decades. He said the center was working with other government bodies on finding solutions.
Ahmed Al-Booq, the director-general of the center’s wildlife conservation department, said that physiological and behavioral changes in baboons have been exacerbated by urbanization and environmental imbalances.
He said the growing number of baboons could see the spread of disease, danger to other animals, and damage to the environment and farms.
Al-Booq said the center had used drones and geographic information systems to find over 500 hotspots with over 41,000 baboons.
Omar Al-Sudais, deputy director of project management at the center, said a study had been conducted with several local and international universities to determine the extent of the problem. As part of this first phase, researchers reviewed international best practices, assessed natural habitats, and looked into diseases that affect both baboons and humans.
Al-Sudais said the second phase, which began in May 2023 and extends to December 2026, will look at the presence of baboons in major cities, villages, agricultural areas and on public roads. During this phase so far, over 400 hotspots were found with about 30,000 baboons. A total of 159 surveillance cameras were set up to assist with the process.
The third phase of the project, which will end in 2030, is to find long-term, sustainable solutions to the issue.
Mohammed Al-Shayeh, advisor at the center’s planning and control department, said 465 questionnaires were collected from citizens in the affected areas to measure the level of awareness of the risks of feeding these creatures.
Abdel Mohsen Al-Shenaif, the center’s director-general of technical support, said baboon parks can be created to contain the excess numbers to serve as tourist attractions.
The center aims to restore local ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and raise community awareness in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.