If your feed could use some good news today, here’s one: Saudi Arabia has recorded its first onager birth in more than 100 years. The announcement was made by the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, home to the young newcomer.
The onager is one of the world’s rarest wild equids. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), fewer than 600 remain in the wild. In 2025, the species was added to the Critically Endangered list as experts warned its population could fall sharply in the coming decades.
The male onager was born in June 2025, but the reserve kept the news private until now. So why wait? Mortality rates among onagers often exceed 50% during the first year. The reserve wanted to make sure the animal reached its first birthday.
The young onager could have some company very soon, as the reserve expects two more births this winter.
Another heartwarming wildlife story recently came from the UAE. In March, Dubai Safari Park welcomed a baby white rhino named Salam, who has already become one of the park’s cutest new residents.
