A field of Thirty field teams from the National Center for Wildlife has begun addressing the issue of the increasing population of baboons.
Thirty field teams from the National Center for Wildlife have commenced work on addressing the problem of the growing population of baboons in various affected areas. They are implementing a set of solutions based on scientific studies developed with the participation of local and international experts, which serve as the foundation for this intervention. The Center recently announced the launch of these mitigation efforts, emphasizing their sustainable and comprehensive nature, with the endorsement of 13 experts from inside and outside the Kingdom, as well as relevant international organizations.
These solutions encompass rehabilitating deteriorating ecosystems, environmental awareness campaigns, enforcing environmental laws and regulations, and putting a stop to feeding the baboons. They also involve addressing waste disposal issues and containers in residential neighborhoods. The Center has specified that the mitigation actions began after determining the baseline for the extent and nature of the problems, their distribution, and their digital mapping. These efforts include studying alternative solutions at the global level, applying them experimentally in the Kingdom’s environment, conducting five awareness campaigns and workshops in the affected areas, and displaying informative panels and warnings against feeding the baboons.
Furthermore, the Center has issued regulations prohibiting the feeding of wildlife, imposing a financial penalty of 500 Saudi Riyals on anyone found guilty of feeding baboons. The Center is committed to building national capacities and utilizing modern technologies to enhance the effectiveness of these solutions.