Azraq Wetland Reserve is located in the eastern desert of Jordan, approximately 115 kilometers from the capital, Amman. The reserve was named after the Azraq Oasis, which forms an important part of its area and is distinguished by its ponds and wetlands that give the site its unique character.

The reserve is considered one of the most important protected areas within Jordan’s national network of nature reserves. It is recognized as the first wetland reserve in the Arab world under the Ramsar Convention and the thirteenth worldwide. Established in 1977, the reserve covers an area of approximately 74 km² and is home to the Azraq Killifish (Aphaniops sirhani), the only endemic vertebrate species in Jordan. It also serves as a major stopover site for migratory birds traveling between Europe, Asia, and Africa. In 2018, the reserve joined the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.

Over the past decades, the Azraq Oasis has experienced severe environmental degradation due to excessive groundwater extraction and illegal well drilling. This led to a significant decline in water levels and the drying of large parts of the wetland, negatively affecting the ecosystem and the migratory birds that depend on the oasis as a major stopover during migration.

In response to this environmental decline, Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature began a restoration program in 1994 to rehabilitate the oasis and restore its wetlands and water bodies, with support from international environmental organizations. Restoration efforts included reintroducing water into parts of the oasis, creating permanent ponds and wetlands, improving natural habitats for birds and wildlife, and monitoring biodiversity through sustainable ecosystem management.

The society also plays an important role in protecting the Azraq Killifish, the only endemic vertebrate species in Jordan, through habitat conservation, regular population monitoring, and specialized breeding programs aimed at preventing its extinction. These efforts have contributed to the recovery of important wetland areas and the return of many migratory and resident bird species to the reserve. In addition, boardwalks and birdwatching facilities have been established to promote ecotourism and raise awareness about the importance of wetland conservation in Jordan.

The reserve is characterized by rich biodiversity, containing nearly two-thirds of Jordan’s recorded bird species, with around 329 migratory and resident bird species. It also supports more than 216 plant species, a total of 63 species in fauna, over 163 invertebrate species, 15 species of dragonflies, and two amphibian species.