Sand gazelles moved into a solar park inside a Saudi reserve

Thirty-eight sand gazelles have been placed in a working solar park inside the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve. Al Arabiya reported on October 6, 2026, that the group is 33 females and five males, on a 505-hectare site with 250 megawatts of panels already generating power. The reserve called the pairing of solar infrastructure and rewilding a global first. The first offspring are expected in December, so none of those births are confirmed yet.

A population model suggests the herd could reach about 600 by 2031. Managers want at least 500 animals before a wider release across the 24,500-square-kilometer reserve. A seven-month trial that began in October 2025 included sand gazelles, mountain gazelles, and Arabian hares, and a breeding phase started in May. The panels lower the ground temperature by about 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, and about 73 percent of the site is considered suitable habitat. A predator-proof fence rings the park. Amaala Sustainable Company for Energy operates the plant, with EDF, Masdar, SUEZ, and Korea East-West Power, to supply the AMAALA development. Reserve chief executive Andrew Zaloumis said the aim is wildlife that can sustain itself without constant intervention. Sand gazelles are classified as vulnerable.