The program marks a major milestone in regional conservation efforts and reflects the Kingdom’s growing leadership in safeguarding marine ecosystems.

In a historic first, the reserve team successfully tagged a pre-nesting, egg-carrying green turtle, a breakthrough that will provide unprecedented insight into its migratory patterns.

This achievement will help close long-standing knowledge gaps and support unified conservation strategies across the Red Sea region.

Led by senior marine ecologist Ahmed Mohammed and marine megafauna specialist Hector Barrios-Garrido, the team captured and tagged three critically endangered hawksbill turtles and seven green turtles.

Their efforts marked a significant step forward in building a detailed scientific record of turtle behavior and movement.

The satellite tags monitor real-time routes, nesting grounds, feeding areas, and migratory pathways. This information is vital for ensuring the protection of nesting beaches and open-sea habitats that sustain turtle populations.

The data will also guide long-term management plans designed to safeguard these species across international borders.

The program builds on ongoing conservation efforts launched in 2023, expanding the reserve’s turtle monitoring and protection operations.

With 4,000 sq. km of protected waters and a 170 km coastline, the reserve forms one of the largest continuous stretches of managed marine territory in the Kingdom. It lies along an 800 km corridor of protected coastline linking Neom and Red Sea Global.

The reserve’s shores host five of the world’s seven turtle species and serve as a key breeding ground for both green and hawksbill turtles.

Ranger teams consistently patrol land and sea areas, safeguarding nesting sites essential to natal homing, the instinct that draws turtles back to the beaches where they were born.

CEO Andrew Zaloumis emphasized the urgency of protecting hawksbill turtles, which face a high risk of extinction. With fewer than 200 breeding-age females remaining in the Red Sea, every new data point strengthens conservation plans that can help secure the species’ future.

Zaloumis highlighted the immense migratory range of hawksbill turtles, which travel across hundreds of thousands of square kilometers before returning decades later to nest.

He noted that the new tracking technology is a transformative tool for mapping critical habitats and informing national and regional conservation policies.

The program also advances Saudi Arabia’s commitments under global environmental agreements, including the UN Convention on Migratory Species and the Indian Ocean–South-East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding.

This aligns with the Kingdom’s broader environmental vision and long-term sustainability goals.

Marine ecologist Ahmed Mohammed explained that the satellite tags are designed to operate for at least 12 months, providing continuous data on habitat use, seasonal behavior, and developmental zones.

Depth sensors attached to the tags also identify seagrass meadows, which are important feeding areas for green turtles and vital blue-carbon ecosystems.

While green turtles have been reclassified globally, they remain regionally vulnerable and still depend heavily on conservation frameworks to ensure survival. All five Red Sea turtle species continue to be protected under international migration conventions.

The new satellite-tracking initiative represents a major step in deepening scientific understanding, strengthening regional cooperation, and ensuring that endangered turtles can thrive across the Red Sea for generations to come.

The initiative highlights Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to balance cultural traditions with environmental conservation across large natural landscapes.

Shamal Reserve spans more than 2,000 square kilometers, offering visitors a destination where traditional hunting heritage merges with carefully protected natural surroundings.
Its design supports both cultural appreciation and environmental sustainability, making it a model for managed eco-tourism in the Kingdom.

The reserve offers visitors hospitality services tailored to enhance their nature-based experience while ensuring the ecological integrity of the area remains undisturbed.

Guests are welcomed into organized facilities and guided activities that reflect the region’s history and natural diversity.

A new eco-lodge concept introduced this year expands accommodation options to suit groups with varying needs.

Camps include sleeping tents, dining areas, Bedouin-style tents, and open outdoor spaces that create an immersive cultural setting for guests.

Specialized environmental and hunting guides accompany visitors as part of the reserve’s managed approach to sustainable tourism.
Their role includes educating guests on wildlife behavior, conservation practices, and safe, regulated hunting methods.

The reserve features notable species associated with traditional hunting, including the houbara bustard, gazelles, and Arabian oryx.
These species are part of the region’s cultural identity, and their management reflects strict ecological guidelines to ensure population stability.

Falcons are used in hunting the houbara bustard, preserving a longstanding Arabian tradition that requires skill and environmental awareness.

Gazelles may be hunted using saluki dogs or firearms under regulated conditions, while Arabian oryx hunting follows controlled firearm-based procedures.

All hunting activities inside the reserve operate within a framework designed to prioritize ecological protection and long-term wildlife preservation.

Regulations are enforced consistently to ensure that cultural practices do not compromise sustainability.

The development authority describes Shamal Reserve as an advanced model for integrating natural environments with heritage-focused tourism.

Its services, professional teams, and structured guidelines aim to create a balanced approach between enjoyment and conservation.

The reserve’s activities reflect broader goals within Saudi Arabia to enhance nature-based tourism and showcase environmentally responsible practices.

Such initiatives contribute to national efforts to diversify tourism offerings and promote sustainable outdoor experiences.

Conservation remains a core principle of the reserve’s operations, with continuous assessments to monitor species health and habitat conditions.

Visitor activities are carefully managed to minimize ecological disruption while maximizing educational value.

The reserve also helps raise public awareness about the importance of biodiversity protection and the responsible use of natural resources.

Guests are encouraged to understand the significance of maintaining ecological balance within desert and wildlife habitats.

Through its modern infrastructure and commitment to sustainability, Shamal Reserve has become a leading example of how eco-tourism can align with cultural heritage.

Its participation in the Winter at Darb Zubaida season carries both recreational and educational importance for local and international visitors.

Officials note that sustainable hunting practices contribute to stronger conservation systems when paired with scientific management and regulated access.

This model allows traditions to continue while ensuring species preservation remains a top priority.

As eco-tourism expands across Saudi Arabia, destinations like Shamal Reserve demonstrate the country’s growing focus on nature-friendly tourism experiences.

Its approach is expected to inspire similar initiatives across other protected areas, supporting the Kingdom’s broader environmental and tourism vision.