Mohammad Al-Balawi, head ranger at the Royal Commission for AlUla’s Wildlife and Natural Heritage department, plays a central role in protecting and managing the vast natural reserves of the AlUla region in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Since joining the commission in February 2019, Al-Balawi has been deeply involved in the establishment and oversight of the Sharaan Nature Reserve, a key initiative aimed at preserving local wildlife and habitat.
Al-Balawi’s responsibilities include coordinating ranger teams that patrol the protected areas continuously, monitoring wildlife populations, and responding to environmental challenges. “Being a head ranger means staying closely connected to both the field and the team,” he says, emphasizing the importance of real-time communication and direct engagement with his colleagues.
A native of AlUla, Al-Balawi expresses a strong personal connection to the landscape and its natural resources. “For me, AlUla is my oxygen, life itself — it is the air I breathe,” he states. His work focuses not only on protecting existing species such as the mountain gazelle, Arabian oryx, Nubian ibex, wild rabbits, and rock hyraxes, but also on broader conservation goals. Among the commission’s ambitious plans is the potential reintroduction of the Arabian leopard, for which maintaining a stable prey base and suitable habitat conditions is essential.
Rangers utilize a variety of monitoring techniques, including camera traps, to observe wildlife discreetly and avoid disturbing sensitive animals. Such observations help the team better understand how different species interact within the ecosystem. Visitor access to the reserves is carefully managed, with routes tailored to individual interests in wildlife, birds, plants, or geology, and certain particularly sensitive areas remain highly restricted to minimize environmental impact.
Al-Balawi acknowledges the complexity and scale of the terrain as one of the main challenges facing conservation efforts. Rangers must contend with threats ranging from illegal activities to pressures on vegetation, including damage from overgrazing and unauthorized collection of wood. Coordinated teamwork is crucial, especially in emergencies — Al-Balawi recounts an incident where a colleague was bitten by a snake in a remote area, highlighting the need for preparedness and calm response in the field.
His expertise in wildlife management is supported by training received internationally, including at Tanzania’s Mweka College of African Wildlife Management and the University of Costa Rica. He also highlights the role of ecotourism in fostering both conservation and responsible visitor experiences.
Outside of work, Al-Balawi emphasizes the importance of personal time away from the demands of his position. He enjoys exercising, traveling, and exploring wilderness areas, efforts that complement his commitment to conservation. His dedication goes beyond a professional role, describing his work as a “passion, a commitment and a responsibility” to safeguard AlUla’s natural heritage for future generations.