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Faris Al-Juhani: From Farm Life to Wildlife Guardian at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve

6 min read

26 December 2024

Faris Abdullah Ismail Al-Juhani, a 30-year-old ranger team leader, grew up in Duba, a coastal town within Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve. From an early age, Faris spent time on his family’s farm, helping his father care for sheep and camels. What began as quiet moments spent learning about animals turned into a lifelong connection to nature. Today, Faris uses that experience to protect Saudi Arabia’s wild heritage as part of the Reserve’s rewilding program.

Faris earned a degree in Special Education from Tabuk University and began his career at Duba Port, where he supervised marine operations. But his passion for animals and the land eventually led him to the Reserve, where he joined the ranger program in 2022.

Since I was a child, I loved helping my father with the animals. It wasn’t work to me; it was a way to connect with nature and learn from my family,” Faris recalls.

Faris is now a key figure in the Reserve’s efforts to restore ecosystems and reintroduce endangered species. His experience caring for livestock gave him the practical skills needed to monitor and care for wild animals like oryx, ibex, and gazelles. He leads a growing team of rangers, providing hands-on care and overseeing the breeding and release programs essential to rewilding.

Faris monitors wildlife in the Reserve

When Faris first joined the Reserve, he admits he wasn’t sure what to expect. But his perspective changed as he began to learn more about conservation. “At first, I thought the Reserve was just about restricting access,” Faris says. “But I realized it’s about protecting what we have and helping it recover so that we can continue to depend on it.”

Faris quickly immersed himself in the work, learning from top conservation experts, internationally renowned wildlife veterinarians and participating in tracking courses. These programs taught him to read animal tracks, detect signs of illness, and manage threats to wildlife.

“The training opened my eyes,” Faris says. “We learned how to track movements, spot patterns, and act quickly to protect the animals. It gave us the tools we need to care for the Reserve.”

Faris and his team were also part of the husbandry program that saw the birth of 15 Arabian oryx — a milestone in the Reserve’s efforts to restore endangered species. These births mark the first stage of the rewilding process, preparing the animals for release into their natural habitat.

As Faris grew in his role, he took on the responsibility of leading a team of rangers. Starting with just a few members, the team has expanded under his guidance, reflecting the Reserve’s investment in building local capacity for conservation.

Faris describes the Reserve’s approach to rewilding as building a pyramid. It starts with stabilizing small areas, allowing plants to regrow and animals to return, and then expands outward, creating corridors and restoring entire ecosystems.

It’s important to remind everyone why we’re here,” Faris explains. “Our work matters—for the animals, the land, and the future.

Faris’ upbringing on a farm provided him with the practical skills needed to monitor and care for animals, skills that have proven invaluable in his work with wild species such as oryx, ibex, and gazelles. His ability to notice subtle changes in animal behavior or health mirrors the Reserve’s data-driven approach to wildlife monitoring, which relies on field observations and advanced tracking technologies to assess ecosystem health.

Wild animals have their own ways,” he says. “Some are calm, others are shy. You have to be patient and learn how to approach them.

Faris describes his daily work as both challenging and rewarding. Mornings begin with checking on the animals, observing their health and behavior, and preparing food and supplies. His experience with livestock gives him a sharp eye for spotting signs of distress or illness.

In the past, when we cared for sheep, we had to vaccinate them before outbreaks. It’s the same with wildlife. You need to be ahead of the problem, not reacting to it.

This approach reflects the Reserve’s larger mission of rewilding 24,500 square kilometers and restoring 23 native species. It’s not just about releasing animals—it’s about building healthy, self-sustaining ecosystems from the ground up.

Faris also sees himself as an ambassador for conservation. As someone who grew up in Duba, he understands the concerns some locals have about the Reserve, but he believes the work they are doing is building a better future for the region.

We’re protecting the land so it can continue to provide for us,” Faris says. “It’s not about closing it off. It’s about giving it time to heal so it can support more life.

Over 85% of the Reserve’s staff, including the Middle East’s first all-women ranger corps, come from local communities. Asma Khdeer, Senior Manager of Capacity Building and Sustainable Natural Resource Use, explains the Reserve’s vision:

We are not outsiders coming in to fix problems; we are part of the same community working toward shared goals.

Faris shares this belief and works to show others the value of conservation, both as a career path and as a way to protect their heritage.

Faris hopes to see the Reserve continue to expand its efforts, with more species introduced and larger areas restored. For him, being a ranger is more than a job; it’s a purpose driven by respect for the land and a desire to leave it better for future generations.

We’re building something that will last,” Faris says. “I believe that, in time, people will see the benefits of what we’re doing here. It’s not just about protecting the land today—it’s about making sure it’s still here for future generations.

Faris and his team are at the heart of the Reserve’s mission to create a thriving, balanced ecosystem. Their efforts show that conservation is not just about saving species but about restoring harmony between people, animals, and the land.