The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Arabian Leopard Fund announced a strategic partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to support international efforts to protect the Arabian leopard, one of the world's most endangered big cats.
The agreement includes the loan of a pair of Arabian leopards to Washington, D.C. as part of a scientific program designed to enhance conservation efforts, promote genetic diversity, and raise global awareness about this rare species.
The initiative is part of the RCU’s broader strategy to expand its international collaboration network in environmental conservation, with the Arabian Leopard Fund playing a pivotal role in coordinating global efforts and directing joint scientific endeavors.
The partnership combines the Smithsonian Institution's extensive scientific expertise with the breeding program for the Arabian leopard overseen by the commission, significantly enhancing the chances of survival for this critically endangered species and establishing a population outside its native habitat.
Additionally, the collaboration will drive advanced scientific research on the Arabian leopard and facilitate the creation of the first exhibit of its kind for these big cats in the United States. It will help share their story with a global audience and stimulate community support for conservation programs.
The Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr) is classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, reflecting the significant challenges it faces in its natural environment.
The strategic project represents a practical and effective response to safeguard the future of this species, which is cherished in Saudi Arabia as an essential part of its natural heritage and environmental identity.
