Royal Commission For AlUla | Arabian Leopard

#InternationalArabianLeopardDay

10th February

International Arabian Leopard Day

International Arabian Leopard Day, held annually on 10th February, is an important opportunity to draw the world’s attention to the plight of the Arabian Leopard.

Listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is not too late to save this majestic species of Big Cat.

International Arabian Leopard Day was initiated by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in 2022.

In June 2023, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously designated 10th February as the International Day of the Arabian Leopard – a historic moment signalling the global importance of RCU’s mission and a collective commitment to preserving our natural heritage.

As part of its this year’s ‘Leap of Hope’ campaign – created especially for International Arabian Leopard Day 2024, RCU continues to expand its long-term mission to safeguard the Arabian Leopard and is calling on people, organisations, and experts around the world to play their part.

This year’s edition of International Arabian Leopard Day includes the launch of the ‘Quest for Hope’ gaming experience on the Roblox and Decentraland virtual platforms, digital activations in Beijing, London, New York, and Paris, and several initiatives taking place across AlUla.

You can join the online conversation using the #InternationalArabianLeopardDay hashtag across social media.

A New Hope

for an endangered species

Arabian Leopards are the smallest leopard subspecies of the leopard family
Arabian Leopards are rated as “Critically Endangered” by IUCN
Arabian Leopards boast a pale, yellow fur, wider and flatter nostrils, and a black tear track pattern
Males Arabian Leopards weigh up to 30kg, and females up to 20kg
Arabian Leopards are agile climbers and adept hunters, thriving in rugged and mountainous regions

A symbol of pride

The Arabian Leopard is a powerful symbol of pride, not just for Saudi Arabia, but for the entire Arabian Peninsula.

Emerging from Africa around 500,000 years ago, its territory once ranged from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Gulf – from Mount Sinai and the Negev Desert in the north, to the Haraz, Dhofar and Al Hajar Mountains in the south.

Threats to the Arabian Leopard:

Habitat Loss: Expanding human settlements and agricultural activities are encroaching upon the leopards’ natural habitat, leaving them with dwindling space and resources
Depletion of Prey: Over-hunting by humans has significantly reduced populations of ibex, gazelles, and other prey animals, forcing leopards to seek alternative food sources, such as livestock, which often leads to conflict with humans
Human Persecution: Fear and misunderstanding can lead to the direct persecution of leopards, escalating to poisoning, trapping, and even shooting
Inadequate Awareness and Protection: A lack of awareness about the leopards’ plight and insufficient protected areas further contribute to their vulnerability

Inspiration For

Conservation & Restoration

A Commitment to AlUla

Reinvigorating AlUla’s cultural and natural landscape

RCU’s implementation of a nature-positive approach to its sustainable regeneration goals is creating an ecosystem where the Arabian Leopard can one day thrive in the wild.

This includes the release of native species of prey animals into vast nature reserves and regenerating once arid natural areas to restore a lost yet essential balance to AlUla's delicate ecosystems.

AlUla is home to five nature reserves covering 12,500km2.

The Wadi Nakhlah, Harrat AlZabin and Harrat Uwayrid reserves are potential future habitats for Arabian Leopards.

RCU’s Wildlife & Natural Heritage team is planting native species of fauna to provide food for herbivores, the leopard’s main prey.

This year, the RCU will release up to 1,580 animals, including Arabian oryx, Arabian and sand gazelles, and Nubian ibex, into reserves.

#MeetourCubs

Hope for future generations

RCU’s goal to safeguard the future of the Arabian Leopard can only be realised through the reintroduction of the species into its native habitat.

A symbol of hope, RCU’s Conservation Breeding Centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia, welcomed the birth of seven healthy Arabian Leopard cubs in 2023.

Working with conservation partners across the region, the centre introduced new Arabian Leopard ‘founders’ to increase the genetic diversity of its breeding animals and contribute to the advancement of long-term conservation goals.

These are key milestones in RCU’s ongoing efforts and bring the total number of leopards at the centre to 27, nearly doubling the original 14 from when the project started in 2020.

Arabian Leopard

Book

A reflection of our ambitions to reintroduce the animal to the wild

As part of our Comprehensive Regeneration of AlUla

To conserve a species in danger

We are committed to protecting the Arabian Leopard as part of a comprehensive regeneration

We are committed to protecting the Arabian Leopard as part of a comprehensive regeneration programme to establish AlUla as the world’s largest living museum.

Classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN, it is estimated that fewer than 200 Arabian Leopards are left in the wild. RCU’s work has inspired the creation of the Arabian Leopard Programme and the Arabian Leopard Fund, important initiatives that are helping RCU prepare for the reintroduction of the species to AlUla.

Arabian Leopard cubs

RCU’s goal to safeguard the future of the Arabian Leopard can only be realised through the reintroduction of the species into its native habitat. A symbol of hope, RCU’s Breeding Centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia, has welcomed 4 new Arabian Leopard cubs, since April 2021.

Staff at the centre monitor the progress of these cubs as part of efforts to increase and maintain leopard numbers. Cubs born in captivity are a vital step towards Arabian Leopards one day returning to the wildness of AlUla.

Natural Heritage

A safe haven for the Arabian Leopard

AlUla is home to five nature reserves covering 12,500km2. The Wadi Nakhlah, Harrat AlZabin and Harrat Uwayrid reserves are potential future habitats for Arabian Leopards.

RCU’s Wildlife & Natural Heritage team is restoring nature reserves, including planting of native species to restore balance to the environment and provide food for herbivores, the leopard’s main prey. This year RCU will release up to 1,580 animals, including Arabian oryx, Arabian and sand gazelles, and Nubian ibex, into reserves in AlUla.

The Arabian Leopard

The history of the Arabian Leopard

Emerging from Africa around 500,000 years ago, the Arabian Leopard is one of the most important species of mammal native to the Arabian Peninsula.

Its territory once ranged from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Gulf – from Mount Sinai and the Negev Desert in the north, to the Haraz, Dhofar and Al Hajar Mountains in the south. Its image has been discovered in cave art in Shuwaymis, south-east of AlUla, with the animal recognisable by its long tail, flat facial profile and stalking pose.

A New Hope for the Future

Arabian Leopard cub

RCU’s goal to safeguard the future of the Arabian Leopard can only be realised through the reintroduction of the species into its native habitat. A symbol of hope, RCU’s Breeding Centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia, welcomed a new Arabian Leopard cub, born on April 23, 2021.

Staff at the centre will monitor the cub’s progress as part of efforts to increase and maintain leopard numbers. Cubs born in captivity are a vital step towards Arabian Leopards one day returning to the wildness of AlUla.

In Collaboration

With International Experts

IUCN

For over 70 years, IUCN has provided organisations with knowledge and resources needed to address environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Learn More

Panthera

Utilising the expertise of the world’s premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global strategies for the most imperilled large cats.

Learn More

Catmosphere

With its CatWalk Campaign, a 7KM Walk in support of the seven big cats, Catmosphere is dedicated to raising awareness for Big Cat conservation globally.

Learn More