Rare bird faces extinction in Saudi Arabia

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) - The Asir magpie, one of the world’s rarest birds, faces the danger of extinction in Saudi Arabia, Saudi authorities have warned.

Ahmed al-Booq, the director-general of the Wildlife Conservation Department at the Saudi National Center for Wildlife, estimates the number of the Asir Magpie at 270. “[This is] the lowest of any endemic bird in the Arabian Peninsula,” he told Arab News.

In an effort to protect the endangered birds, the Saudi Environment, Water and Agriculture Ministry prohibited the hunting of the Asir magpie and issued a fine of 100,000 Saudi riyals ($26,624) for any hunter of the bird.

Found only in the southern Asir region, the magpie birds have distinctive features as their beautiful sound and creative way of building their nests.

Experts cite urbanization in their habitat areas as the main reason for the decreasing number of the birds.

According to al-Booq, the National Center for Wildlife has launched a rehabilitation program in an effort to improve the breeding of the Asir magpie and save them from extinction.