An overview of the terrestrial mammal fauna of the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve, Saudi Arabia

Mammalia 2026 Open access

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Authors: Melissa Anne Petford, Phoebe Mottram, Ben Orban, Ryan van Huyssteen, Colleen Lindberg, Graeme Wolfaard, Caroline Vasicek Gaugris, Awatef Abiadh, Rio Button, Abdulrahaman Salem Alzahrani, Abdullah Mohammed Alowaifeer, Jérôme Y. Gaugris
DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2025-0099
Cited by: 0
References: 20

Abstract

Abstract Baseline data on species richness and abundance in protected areas is necessary for assessing conservation effectiveness and enabling long-term monitoring. This study provides the first assessment of wild mammal species richness in the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve (KARR), using camera, Sherman, and cat trapping from November 2022 to June 2023. Fourteen species were recorded, with the Arabian Red Fox ( Vulpes vulpes arabica , Linnaeus 1758) being the most abundant, and the Arabian Sand Gazelle ( Gazella marica , Thomas 1897) the only threatened species (Vulnerable). These results provide a baseline for KARR mammal diversity, guiding future monitoring and management efforts in the reserve.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies Rangeland and Wildlife Management

Publication details

Journal / source
Mammalia
Volume
90
Issue
3
Pages
266–272
Publication date
31 January 2026
Language
EN