The National Center for Wildlife Development in Saudi Arabia officially announced the end of the hunting season for the current year, 2025-2026, on January 31, 2026 (corresponding to 12 Sha'ban 1447 AH). This announcement marks the culmination of a season filled with regulatory and monitoring activities aimed at ensuring the sustainability of natural resources and preserving biodiversity in the Kingdom.
Organizational success and global standards
The current hunting season, which began in early September of last year, has witnessed remarkable success and a qualitative leap in its regulatory mechanisms. The center's management of this season relied on significant updates to the regulations stemming from the environmental system, with careful consideration of the principle of sustainable use of natural resources. This success was not accidental, but rather the result of fruitful cooperation with local and international hunting experts, based on scientific research and accurate data that align with the best global standards and practices in this field.
Environmental context and future vision
Regulating hunting seasons in the Kingdom is an integral part of broader national efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 regarding environmental protection, and the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to rehabilitate natural lands and protect endangered wildlife. The Kingdom is working diligently to balance the popular tradition of hunting with the urgent need to maintain ecological balance, ensuring the preservation of these resources for future generations.
Official statements and international assessment
Commenting on the season's conclusion, Dr. Mohammed Ali Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife Development, stated, “The 2025-2026 hunting season was a continuation of the successful experience of regulating hunting in the Kingdom, and its positive impact on maintaining ecological balance and the sustainability of natural resources.” Dr. Qurban emphasized that the Center's integrated approach to wildlife management was fundamentally based on sound scientific and environmental principles.
Dr. Qurban added: “The development of the fishing regulation came based on data and continuous evaluation, and contributed to raising the level of commitment and environmental awareness, and consolidating the concepts of organized fishing as a tool to support the preservation of ecosystems and enhance their sustainability.”.
The Kingdom's leadership in protecting migratory species
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia's efforts in this area have not gone unnoticed internationally. The Kingdom's experience in regulating hunting has garnered widespread international praise, culminating in the National Center for Wildlife Development receiving the Leadership Award for Migratory Species. This recognition stems from the Kingdom's pivotal role in supporting and leading initiatives aimed at addressing poaching and the illegal trade in wildlife, as well as its tireless efforts to combat the illegal hunting of birds in Southwest Asia. This strengthens the Kingdom's position as a key player in protecting ecosystems regionally and internationally.
