In a landmark announcement on February 10, marking International Arabian Leopard Day 2025, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) unveiled its plans to establish the first wildlife breeding centre in Sharaan National Park.
Currently, all 30 Arabian leopards under human care in Saudi Arabia are housed at the Royal Commission for AlUla’s Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Centre in Taif. Building upon the success of this facility, which saw the birth of a rare litter of triplet cubs last year, the new state-of-the-art centre in AlUla will play a crucial role in the species' recovery.
About Arabian Leopard Re-Wilding Centre
For the first time in decades, the Arabian leopard will return to AlUla.
The Arabian Leopard is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an estimated 120 remaining in the wild and none recorded in Saudi Arabia for over a decade.
And the first phase of the new Arabian Leopard Re-Wilding Centre in AlUla will see the establishment of the centre in Sharaan National Park, with construction planned to begin in the coming months. This facility will serve as the first of its kind globally, focusing not only on breeding but also on re-wilding efforts. In addition to housing and breeding Arabian leopards, the Centre will breed key prey species essential for their successful reintroduction into the wild.
AlUla as an Eco-Tourism Destination
AlUla is a region renowned for its breathtaking desert landscapes and extensive protected nature reserves that encompass over 50% of the land. And this new initiative not only enhances global conservation efforts but also solidifies AlUla's position as a world-class eco-tourism destination where premium guest experiences, re-wilding, and sustainability converge
Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer of RCU, stated, “Bringing the Arabian leopard back to its native home in AlUla has been a core mission and promise - one that we are proud to deliver on with the upcoming Wildlife Breeding Centre in AlUla. As we continue to welcome travellers and capture the attention of global tourists and eco-tourism enthusiasts, we are turning our vision into action, proving that sustainable, light-touch tourism can go hand in hand with environmental regeneration.”
AlUla's commitment to wildlife conservation aligns perfectly with its transformation into a boutique heritage and eco-tourism destination. With its renowned heritage sites, world-class hospitality offerings, and expansive natural beauty, AlUla offers a unique travel experience where visitors can explore stunning landscapes while being surrounded by active sustainability efforts.
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Establishing International Arabian Leopard Day
Recognising the urgent need for action, the 2025 edition of International Day of the Arabian Leopard, saw the launch of the ‘Leaps of Hope’ campaign across the globe, raising awareness of crucial conservation efforts.
A highlight of the celebration was the unveiling of a new long-term partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), solidifying AlUla's leadership role in wildlife protection.
To date, RCU, in partnership with the Arabian Leopard Fund, has spearheaded several initiatives to restore the species, including the United Nations adoption of a resolution to officially designate February 10 as an international day for Arabian Leopards in 2023, the creation of a fund to promote conservation efforts, a 10-year partnership with Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organisation, and an ongoing partnership with Catmosphere, a foundation for big cat conservation.
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