About Wild Mammals
Wild mammals are considered important elements in ecosystems, as their condition indicates the safety of the ecosystem in which they are found. There are about 73 wild mammal species in the Kingdom, divided into 8 categories: 30 species of bats, 20 species of rodents, 14 species of predators, and 4 species of the ungulates, 3 types of insectivores, and one type of primates, hyraxes, and hareids. In recent years, some species of wild mammals in the Kingdom have been exposed to great pressures, such as overhunting, poisoning of predators, urban expansion, and the destruction and fragmentation of their natural habitats. Others have been exposed to extinction from their natural habitats in the Kingdom, such as the Asian lion, the hunting cheetah, the Saudi antelope. Others i.e. the Arabian leopard have become threatened critically to the level of extinction. The center seeks to study and monitor wild mammal species in regions of the Kingdom, focusing on existing and proposing protected areas, important for its biodiversity, and wetlands. Such will provide information on the presence of species, patterns of spatial distribution, abundance of different species, and working to sustain and preserve them. Some of the basis of such threats lead to preventative measure as follow:
- 1- Conducting field surveys of various types of wild mammals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and uploading them to digital maps and knowing the spread, abundance, density and national status of these species.
- 2- Preparing and updating lists of national species of wild mammals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia periodically.
- 3- Implementing plans and programs for the conservation of wild mammals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- 4- Raising awareness of guidelines and standards for the conservation of wild mammals.
- 5- Preparing annual census of ungulates in the center’s protected areas and follow-up of the results of wild mammal releases in protected areas and national parks.
- 6- Monitoring and analyzing the effects of invasive species on wild mammals through reports that include results and suggest solutions.
- 7- Handling reports related to wild mammals.
- 8- Developing a national action plan to protect endemic and endangered species and implement the outcomes of these plans.
