Mountain Ibex

The Mountain Ibex is a wild mountain animal known in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the Nubian Ibex. It is a symbol of the Kingdom's wildlife, distinguished by its ability to adapt to a range of environments and its important role in the ecosystem [2].

The Mountain Ibex is found in reserves and national parks across the Kingdom, where the National Center for Wildlife breeds and reintroduces it into its natural habitats under the National Program for the Release and Reintroduction of Endangered Wild Animals [1][2].

Mountain Ibex are among the wild animals that symbolise wildlife in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They play an important role in the ecosystem and can adapt to a variety of environments [2].

In Baljurashi National Park, the Mountain Ibex is one of the most attractive natural features of the Kingdom's mountainous regions, drawing residents and visitors alike to observe the animals in their natural surroundings [1].

The National Center for Wildlife implements the National Program for the Release and Reintroduction of Endangered Wild Animals in the Kingdom's reserves and national parks [2].

Programs to breed and reintroduce endangered wild species are part of the Saudi Green Initiative and fall within the National Environment Strategy, in line with the principles of sustainable development under Saudi Vision 2030 [3].

The development authority of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve has reintroduced more than 81 Mountain Ibex across different parts of the reserve, and its field team recorded the birth of a Nubian Ibex in March 2025 [4].

The reserve has recorded more than 120 mammal births in the areas under its management, including the Arabian Oryx, the Reem gazelle, the ibex and the Arabian gazelle [4].

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve is the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East, covering 130,700 km² and overlapping four administrative regions: Al-Jawf, Hail, the Northern Borders and Tabuk [4].

Three ibex were born in the Red Rock area of King Abdullah National Park in Al-Sawda, following the release of 23 ibex into natural areas in cooperation with the National Center for Wildlife, which has helped the number of ibex grow inside the protected area [5].

The National Center for Wildlife had earlier released two mothers that gave birth to the newborn ibex in the Red Rock area, while the third mother, about two years old, was born in an enclosure before being released into the project area in February 2023 to give birth to her young in the park [5]. Al-Sawda Development Company monitors a group of nine ibex [5].

In Al-Bahah Region, His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Bahah Region, released a number of Mountain Ibex and eagles in Baljurashi National Park [2].

Baljurashi National Park is one of the largest parks under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. It covers an estimated area of about 600,000 m², has a mountainous character, and attracts large numbers of residents and visitors who come to see the Mountain Ibex released there by the National Center for Wildlife to breed and reintroduce local endangered species into their natural habitats [1].

In Al-Shukran Park in Baljurashi, the National Center for Wildlife released six ibex in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Wildlife, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadhli [3].

Hunting the Mountain Ibex is a violation against an endangered wild species. The penalty is a SAR 60,000 fine, and where the violation is repeated within a single year, the Environment Law provides for a stricter penalty of up to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of up to SAR 30 million, or either of the two [6].

Hunting penalties in the Kingdom are graded: hunting the ibex carries a SAR 60,000 fine, hunting without a licence a SAR 10,000 fine, and hunting in areas where hunting is prohibited a SAR 5,000 fine [7].

Within Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, hunting wild ibex carries a SAR 60,000 fine and the use of firearms in hunting a SAR 80,000 fine [8]. The competent authorities in Ad-Da'ir Governorate in Jazan Region arrested a resident in possession of ibex and gazelles smuggled from outside the Kingdom, and handed the seized animals to the competent authority [9].

Q: What is the Mountain Ibex? A: It is a wild mountain animal known in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the Nubian Ibex. It is a symbol of the Kingdom's wildlife, distinguished by its ability to adapt to a range of environments and its important role in the ecosystem.

Q: Who implements the program to breed and reintroduce the Mountain Ibex? A: The National Center for Wildlife implements it under the National Program for the Release and Reintroduction of Endangered Wild Animals in the Kingdom's reserves and national parks.

Q: Where have Mountain Ibex been released in the Kingdom? A: In Baljurashi National Park and Al-Shukran Park in Al-Bahah Region, and in King Abdullah National Park in the Al-Sawda mountains of Asir Region, alongside their reintroduction in King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve and Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve.

Q: What is the penalty for hunting the Mountain Ibex? A: The fine is SAR 60,000. If the violation is repeated within one year, the penalty reaches up to ten years' imprisonment and a fine of up to SAR 30 million, or either of the two.

Q: How are ibex breeding efforts linked to the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030? A: Breeding and reintroduction programs are part of the Saudi Green Initiative and fall within the National Environment Strategy, in line with the principles of sustainable development under Saudi Vision 2030.

The competent authorities in the Kingdom continue to breed and reintroduce the Mountain Ibex in reserves and national parks and to monitor its births, as part of the National Program for the Release and Reintroduction of Endangered Wild Animals [1][4]. Related topics on the platform include Ibex Reserve, Wildlife in Saudi Arabia and Arabian Oryx.