Saudi wildlife authority launches first national vulture feeding guide with global partners

The National Center for Wildlife announced on Thursday the development of Saudi Arabia’s first internationally accredited national guide for vulture feeding stations, created in collaboration with five specialized international organizations. The initiative aims to protect both resident and migratory vultures and reduce poisoning risks, which are among the main threats to their survival and population sustainability.

The guide provides a comprehensive practical framework for establishing and managing vulture feeding stations, known as “vulture restaurants.” It outlines how to supply safe, monitored food sources, helping minimize exposure to toxins, harmful veterinary drugs, and other pollutants, while supporting the survival and breeding of vultures in their natural habitats. The guide is based on global best practices and tailored to the environmental and logistical characteristics of Saudi Arabia’s arid regions.

Several international organizations and experts specializing in vulture and raptor conservation contributed to the guide’s development. These include the IUCN Vulture Specialist Group, the Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction (SAVE) initiative, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia. Their involvement ensures the integration of international expertise within a practical national framework.

On a practical level, the guide specifies technical and operational requirements for feeding stations, from selecting suitable locations and safe food sources to operational procedures, monitoring, and documenting vulture numbers and behavior. This supports the evaluation and effectiveness of the stations as a conservation tool.

The feeding stations are expected to play a vital role for migratory vultures crossing Saudi Arabia along their seasonal migration routes by providing safe stopover points for feeding before continuing their journeys.

Saudi Arabia has strengthened its presence in international vulture conservation efforts by having the guide adopted through the CMS platform as a pioneering and accredited model for practical solutions to protect these species. This initiative extends the Center’s ongoing work in wildlife and biodiversity conservation, protection of endangered species, habitat restoration, and the promotion of scientific research and environmental monitoring. It also supports knowledge exchange, biodiversity sustainability, and reinforces the Kingdom’s contribution to regional and global wildlife conservation efforts.