Arabian Leopard

A commitment to safeguarding
the critically endangered species.

Amr AlMadani
Amr AlMadani,
Chief Executive Officer
Royal Commission for AlUla
The Arabian Leopard is a powerful symbol of our aim to conserve and safeguard AlUla’s natural environment through far-reaching conservation efforts designed to protect the natural flora and fauna of this incredible part of north-west Arabia.

Arabian Leopard

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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.

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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.

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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.

#ArabianLeopardDay

10th February

Help build awareness of the Arabian Leopard

With fewer than 200 Arabian leopards left in the wild, this species is Critically Endangered, but it's not too late. The inaugural Arabian Leopard Day is an important event to raise public awareness and galvanise support for this beautiful animal's plight.

You can participate in the Arabian Leopard Day

Help spread awareness using the #ArabianLeopardDay hashtag across your social media accounts.


A special day

From Social Media to skyscrapers

People responded to our message. They heard it in the classroom, shared social-media posts with our #ArabianLeopardDay hashtag, and saw it spectacularly lighting up skyscrapers across the Arabian Peninsula.

When we succeed in rescuing the Arabian Leopard from the brink of extinction and returning them to their natural habitat, the success of this day will have been part of how it happened.

A New Hope

for an endangered species

  • Fewer than 200 Arabian leopards left in the wild
  • Species rated as “Critically Endangered” by IUCN
  • It is the smallest member of the leopard family
  • Arrived in Arabia almost 500,000 years ago when it emerged out of Africa
  • Originally a mountain animal, now the only true desert leopard

The Arabian Leopard Programme

Reinvigorating AlUla’s cultural and natural landscape

The Arabian Leopard Programme combines several projects working together to conserve this critically endangered species.

These initiatives include:

  • Conservation breeding and reintroduction programme.
  • RCU helped establish the Arabian Leopard Fund and has allocated USD 25 Million to the Fund for conservation efforts.
  • $20M commitment to Panthera over ten years

* Launch of several partnerships to protect the Arabian leopard including our work with Catmosphere and a three-year agreement with IUCN

Inspiration For

Conservation & Restoration

A Commitment to AlUla

Reinvigorating AlUla’s cultural and natural landscape

With this programme, we seek to protect, conserve, and build the population of the Arabian leopard, bringing them back from the brink of extinction and securing their place in the wild.

The regeneration of AlUla will convert 80% of the project’s area into nature reserves. This is in line with the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims at improving quality of life and protecting the future by increasing reliance on clean energy.

#MeetourCub

Hope for future generations

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A sign of hope, our newest spirited Arabian Leopard cub was born on April 23 2021, at RCU's breeding centre in Taif, Saudi Arabia. This birth sparks hope for future generations, shedding light on how captive breeding programmes conserve the majestic species when loss of habitat has vastly reduced their numbers in the wild.

#AlUlaCatWalk

A 7KM Walk

One step at a time

Showcasing a commitment to the big cats

On November 6 2021, people from all over the world gathered to unleash the power of nature and showed solidarity for the Arabian Leopard. They joined Catwalks - including one at AlUla's Sharaan Nature Reserve - to spread awareness of the Arabian Leopard's plight and highlight the conservation efforts, adding to the momentum we are building to save this precious species.

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.

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Panthera

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

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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.

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