For the first time, conservationists have documented a rare Egyptian vulture breeding – and feeding its chick – in the dramatic cliffs of Sharaan National Park, AlUla – an ancient desert oasis in the north-west of Saudi Arabia.
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The Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus, is easily recognisable by its white and black plumage, bright yellow face and wedge-shaped tail.
Once sacred to the Pharaohs, this clever bird is one of the few known to use tools. They have been seen cracking open eggs with stones and rolling wool using sticks to build their nests.
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Egyptian vultures are listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Their populations have declined sharply due to habitat loss, poisoning and other threats. Yet hope now rises from the protected cliffs of AlUla, where the species may have found a new breeding haven.
The healthy chick, estimated to be two to three weeks old, is a symbol of the ongoing recovery of Sharaan National Park and a step forward for conservation in the region.
Currently, around 50 breeding pairs are thought to exist across Saudi Arabia. In AlUla alone, at least three active breeding territories were recorded this year. Researchers estimate there could be up to 10 pairs in the area, suggesting a growing population.
Main image credit: Royal Commission for AlUla
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