Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard Conservation

Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard Conservation

Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) has long championed the conservation of species that are often overlooked in mainstream conservation efforts. While biodiversity mitigation measures within the renewable energy sector historically focused on migratory species in line with international commitments under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), limited attention was given to resident wildlife species and their conservation needs.

Recognising this gap, NCE took a proactive and voluntary leadership role in advocating for the protection of native species affected by development activities. Guided by its commitment to science-based conservation and biodiversity mainstreaming, NCE worked with its partners to demonstrate that responsible development must consider the conservation of all biodiversity, including resident and threatened species.

Among the species identified as requiring urgent attention was the Egyptian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx aegyptia), a threatened desert reptile facing increasing pressures from habitat degradation, infrastructure development, and illegal collection. In partnership with AMEA Power, the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), and Safe Soar, NCE launched Egypt’s first dedicated conservation initiative for the species within a renewable energy development context.

In 2023, NCE conducted a comprehensive ecological assessment across the AMUNET Wind Power Project area, mapping active and inactive burrows and establishing the first robust population baseline for the species within the project footprint. The programme combined habitat assessment, rescue, temporary captive management, veterinary care, and scientifically guided release measures as part of an innovative conservation approach designed to minimize project impacts while securing positive outcomes for biodiversity.

Thirteen individuals were safely relocated to a purpose-built conservation facility designed to replicate their natural desert habitat, where they received continuous monitoring and veterinary care. Following a successful rehabilitation period, all individuals were released in June 2024 into carefully selected sites within their native range, in coordination with local stakeholders and conservation specialists.

The initiative marked one of the first documented biodiversity conservation offset measures in Egypt targeting a resident reptile species within the renewable energy sector. More importantly, it helped demonstrate the importance of integrating resident species conservation into environmental planning and biodiversity management frameworks.

Today, the consideration of resident and threatened species within renewable energy developments is increasingly recognised as an essential component of responsible environmental stewardship. NCE is proud to have played a pioneering role in advancing this approach, helping to shape a more comprehensive and inclusive model for biodiversity conservation in Egypt—one that safeguards not only migratory species, but also the unique wildlife that permanently calls these landscapes home.

Through this initiative, NCE continues to demonstrate its leadership in developing practical, science-based solutions that reconcile sustainable development with the conservation of Egypt’s natural heritage.