AlUla, Saudi Arabia — The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Arabian Leopard Fund have partnered with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Their aim is to strengthen Arabian leopard conservation through international collaboration.
As part of the agreement, two Arabian leopards will be transferred to Washington, D.C., becoming part of a global scientific program. This program focuses on preserving genetic diversity, raising public awareness, and supporting ex-situ conservation strategies. The partnership aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader environmental mission to protect desert biodiversity.
Scientific and Strategic Expansion of Arabian Leopard Conservation
The new initiative enhances RCU’s Arabian Leopard Breeding Program, based in Taif. Under RCU’s management since 2020, the center has doubled its resident population. Additionally, it has earned accreditation from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)—a milestone for Saudi conservation.
This collaboration with the Smithsonian deepens scientific research and public education. A dedicated Arabian leopard exhibit in the U.S. will introduce international audiences to the critically endangered species. Consequently, it will amplify global conservation momentum.
The Arabian leopard protection effort is also backed by the Arabian Leopard Fund, which supports cooperation with global leaders like Panthera, IUCN, and Catmosphere. These efforts include habitat restoration, breeding programs, and ecosystem rewilding across AlUla’s unique desert terrain.
The Arabian leopard remains listed as “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List. With fewer than 200 estimated in the wild, the stakes are high. However, this international partnership signals renewed hope for the species’ survival and future reintroduction.
The Saudi Standard’s View: Conservation Goes Global
The Arabian leopard is no longer just a national symbol—it’s a global responsibility. This partnership between RCU and the Smithsonian marks a decisive step in turning conservation into diplomacy. It reflects how Saudi Arabia is reshaping its environmental identity: by integrating science, strategy, and international cooperation.
Sending Arabian leopards to Washington, D.C. isn’t symbolic—it’s strategic. It places the species, and Saudi conservation leadership, at the center of a global stage. This move also shows that Vision 2030’s ambitions for ecological regeneration are not limited to deserts—they extend to labs, exhibits, and classrooms across the world.
In a time of accelerating biodiversity loss, this initiative signals that Saudi Arabia will not wait for consensus—it will lead by example. The future of endangered species like the Arabian leopard depends on this kind of bold, border-crossing stewardship.
