Dragon’s blood trees: Earth’s rarest trees under threat from climate change and goats

The sun rises between the umbrella-shaped branches of a dragon’s blood tree, casting golden light over the alien-like landscape of Socotra. The tree’s red sap, once prized as a natural medicine, is symbolic of the island’s rich biodiversity.
Photo: AP​

Perched above a shimmering natural infinity pool in the Homhil Protected Area, a lone dragon’s blood tree overlooks the island’s misty canyons. Homhil is one of Socotra’s most ecologically significant reserves, sheltering rare species found nowhere else on Earth.
​Photo: AP

Ecotourism guide Sami Mubarak stands beneath a struggling dragon’s blood tree, one of Socotra’s most iconic and endangered species. Once widespread across the island, these ancient trees now show signs of decline due to climate stress and overgrazing by goats.
Photo: AP

Fallen dragon’s blood trees lie scattered across the ground, stark evidence of the environmental pressures threatening Socotra’s endemic flora. Experts warn that without conservation efforts, the species could vanish within decades.
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Delicate flowers bloom on a bottle tree, another of Socotra’s endemic species adapted to survive in extreme drought. Its swollen trunk stores water, allowing it to thrive even as rainfall becomes increasingly scarce.
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From Socotra’s highest peak, a breathtaking view reveals a cluster of dragon’s blood trees clinging to life on rocky outcrops. This remote vantage point showcases both the beauty and vulnerability of the island’s natural heritage.
​Photo: AP

An Egyptian vulture soars gracefully above the Firmihin Plateau, home to one of the largest remaining dragon’s blood tree forests on Socotra. These scavenger birds are part of the island’s delicate ecosystem, now increasingly at risk due to habitat loss and climate change.
​Photo: AP

Towering sand dunes cascade dramatically into the turquoise waters off Socotra’s coastline, illustrating the island's unique and fragile ecosystems that are increasingly affected by changing weather patterns.
Photo: AP