Animals in Qatar A Complete Guide to Wildlife You Will Actually Find There

2026 Conservation Update: What Qatar Is Doing Right Now

Qatar's May 2026 celebrations of International Biodiversity Day were accompanied by significant announcements from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Assistant Director of Wildlife Development Dr Dhafi Heedan confirmed the ministry's focus areas for 2025 and 2026.

Active projects include sea turtle protection at Fuwairit Beach, monitoring of nesting sites, and rescue operations for injured turtles. The mangrove propagation programme continues nationwide. Whale shark movement is being actively monitored at Al Shaheen. Dugong tracking continues with partnerships between the ministry, Qatar University, and research institutions.

The National Biodiversity Database, completed in April 2026, now provides a scientific baseline for all future conservation decisions. It enables evidence-based policy, population trend monitoring, and international reporting under biodiversity conventions.

Qatar is also implementing invasive species controls, particularly the removal of the invasive mesquite tree, which crowds out native desert vegetation. Native acacia, jujube, and ghaf trees are being replanted to restore natural vegetation cover and improve habitat quality for wildlife.