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The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority announced the first documented sighting of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) within the reserve’s boundaries in Riyadh Region.
The authority stated that the monitoring was conducted as part of its environmental monitoring programme using camera traps. A total of 103 cameras were deployed across diverse habitats within the reserve, covering both Riyadh and Eastern regions, to document large and medium-sized mammals that are difficult to observe through traditional methods due to their elusive behavior and rarity.
The monitoring results revealed that the field cameras captured images of two golden jackals within the Tanha Oasis. This represents the first confirmed documentation of the species’ presence within the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve and, more broadly, in central Saudi Arabia.
The authority noted that the Tanha Oasis features an artificial lake filled with fresh water and is surrounded by native plants, including Sidr and acacia trees, creating an environment that attracts diverse wildlife, including mammals and birds.
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