Discovery Marks a Milestone for Conservation in Saudi Arabia’s IUCN Green Listed Sanctuary
AlUla, Saudi Arabia|July 9, 2025: For the first time in the ancient oasis city of AlUla, conservationists have recorded a rare Egyptian vulture feeding its newborn chick in the dramatic cliffs of Sharaan National Park.
This nest with a healthy two- to three-weeks old chick is the first recorded proof of breeding of this species in AlUla and a great symbol of recovery of Sharaan National Park.
Once sacred to the Pharaohs and etched into ancient hieroglyphs, the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is small with white and black plumage, a yellow face, and a distinctive wedge-shaped tail. As clever as it is striking, they are one of the few bird species known to use tools; known to use stones to break into eggs, they have also been observed using sticks to gather and roll wool which they use to line their nests. However, these majestic birds are now listed as Endangered by the IUCN.
Fortunately, AlUla’s protected canyons and cliffs, especially within the IUCN Green Listed Sharaan National Park, provide a much-needed sanctuary for this rare breed.
This new successful nest – the first ever recorded in AlUla – signals a win for regional wildlife and a growing future for biodiversity and comprehensive regeneration in this extraordinary desert oasis destination. The breeding population of Egyptian vulture is estimated to be around 50 pairs in Saudi Arabia. In AlUla this year, at least three breeding territories were recorded while extensive research over the last two years indicates a potential population of up to around 10 breeding pairs.
AlUla has emerged as a place where ancient heritage, dramatic geology and nature converge which visitors can experience first-hand by booking their next adventure at experiencealula.com.
