Journal Article

Epidemiological Investigation of Infectious Diseases at the Domestic–Synanthropic–Wild Animal Interface Reveals Threats to Endangered Species Reintroduction in AlUla, Saudi Arabia

Elbehiry, Ayman, Aldubaib, Musaad, Aljaralh, Abdulaziz, Aldurubi, Basheer, Alyahya, Abdulhakim M., Sadan, Madeh, Chandler, Jeffrey C., Aljasir, Sulaiman F., Alduhami, Abdulmalik, Draz, Abdelmaged A., Aljohani, Abdullah S. M., Bisha, Bledar, Mohammed, Osama B., Aslam, Bilal, Alkhamis, Moh A., Al-Johani, Nawaf, Al Abdulmonem, Waleed

2025

Overview

AlUla, a unique conservation and tourism hub in Saudi Arabia, is undergoing extensive biodiversity restoration efforts, including the reintroduction of threatened wild species. However, interactions among wildlife, domestic, and synanthropic animals in these reserves raise significant concerns about disease transmission to reintroduced species. This study aimed to assess disease risks at the domestic–synanthropic–wildlife interface and identify infectious diseases posing the greatest threat to reintroduced species. A multi-phased prioritization system was developed to guide monitoring based on transmissibility to protected wildlife, susceptibility of reintroduced species, reservoir hosts, vector-borne potential, likelihood of occurrence, and disease severity. A comprehensive expert review identified 61 diseases important to the reintroduced wildlife. From this, 11 priority pathogens were selected for monitoring. A total of 7760 samples were collected from 1367 domestic and synanthropic animals and were analyzed using Real-Time PCR and/or ELISA. All priority pathogens, or prior exposure to these pathogens, were detected. Disease presence was affected by factors such as species, location, health status, and grazing habits. Taken together, these findings underscore the need for robust preventive measures to mitigate disease transmission risks and ensure the sustainability of AlUla’s conservation initiatives. This study also offers a model approach to support reintroduction programs and guide future conservation efforts.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: AlUla / Animals / Biodiversity / Cattle / Communicable diseases / Conservation / Disease prevention / disease prioritization / Disease spread / Disease transmission / Domestic animals / domestic–wildlife interface / Endangered & extinct species / Endangered species / endangered species conservation / Epidemiology / Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid / Goats / Infectious diseases / Medical research / Medicine, Experimental / Pathogens / Reintroduction / Risk assessment / Sample size / Sheep / Threatened species / Tourism / Vaccination / Vector-borne diseases / Wildlife / Wildlife conservation